Direct answer
Rubbish removal in London typically works out at about £45 to £65 per cubic metre for a larger mixed load, or roughly £3.50 to £6 per bin bag, with small jobs costing more per unit because of minimum charges. Those are indicative figures built from the van-load ranges on /prices/, not a fixed rate card, and a licensed carrier quotes the real price for your waste.
What rubbish removal costs per cubic metre and per bag
Built from the van-load ranges on our prices page.
Most London rubbish removal is priced by volume, meaning how much of the van your waste fills, rather than by weight. Our prices page publishes indicative ranges by van load, and the table below shows them next to the equivalent in cubic metres and black bin bags, which is how many people think about a job.
| Load | Volume | Equivalent bin bags | Indicative price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single item minimum charge | 1 – 2 cu yd (about 0.8 – 1.5 m³) | 10 – 15 | £65 – £95 |
| 1/8 van load | 2 cu yd (about 1.5 m³) | 20 | £95 – £135 |
| 1/4 van load | 4 cu yd (about 3.1 m³) | 30 – 40 | £145 – £195 |
| 1/2 van load | 8 cu yd (about 6.1 m³) | 70 – 80 | £275 – £345 |
| 3/4 van load | 12 cu yd (about 9.2 m³) | 110 – 120 | £425 – £495 |
| Full van load | 16 cu yd (about 12.2 m³) | 150 – 160 | £575 – £695 |
Converting those ranges, a larger load works out at roughly £45 to £65 per cubic metre, with smaller loads costing more per cubic metre because the minimum collection and travel time is spread over less waste. Per bin bag, a larger load is typically around £4 to £6 per bag, and a very small job often has a minimum of around ten bags or a minimum charge. These are planning figures, not a rate card: the quote you receive is what counts.
Volume, weight and what changes the price
Light household rubbish and heavy waste are priced differently.
For ordinary household rubbish, furniture and clutter, volume is what counts. The ranges above assume mixed light waste. Heavy material such as soil, bricks, rubble, concrete, tiles and plasterboard fills a van quickly in weight terms, and carriers often price it by weight or limit how much can go in a load. Our bricks and rubble guide, topsoil guide and building waste guide cover heavy waste.
- Waste type. Light bagged rubbish is cheapest per cubic metre. Heavy or mixed building waste costs more.
- Access. Stairs, a long carry and no parking increase the labour time and so the quote.
- Special items. Mattresses, fridges, TVs and paint carry their own disposal charges. See our mattress guide and white goods guide.
- Loading from inside or outside. Waste already outside at the kerb is quicker to load than waste carried out of an upstairs flat.
- Minimum charge. A small load often costs about the same as the minimum, because the call-out and disposal fee are fixed.
Per bag, per load or per hour
Three ways rubbish removal is quoted.
Carriers quote in different ways, which can make quotes hard to compare. Per bag works for a small, tidy job where you can count the bags. By van load is the most common for clearances and mixed waste. Hourly is more common for man and van services where labour is the main cost. When you compare quotes, ask what volume each one covers, whether disposal is included, and whether there is a minimum charge. For hourly services, see how much a man and van costs in London.
Bags also have a practical limit: overfilled or very heavy bags are harder to carry and may not be counted as one bag. Our skip bags guide compares skip bags, skips and man and van costs.
Rubbish removal vs skip hire vs the tip
When per-volume pricing is the better option.
For a small to medium load you do not need to fill, rubbish removal priced by volume is usually simpler than hiring a skip, because you only pay for what you use and the crew loads it. A skip makes more sense when you will fill it over several days and have space and, if needed, a permit. See our house clearance vs skip hire guide and the skip hire cost guide. Taking waste to the tip yourself is cheapest but depends on a vehicle, time and the site's rules: see the tip runs guide.
For a whole property, the house clearance cost guide and pricing by volume guide explain how larger jobs are priced, and the junk removal service covers general rubbish collection.
How to get a sensible quote
Three steps from estimate to collection.
Estimate the volume
Count the bags or compare against a van: a quarter van, half van or full van. Photographs help carriers quote accurately.
List special items and access
Mention mattresses, appliances, paint, heavy waste, stairs and parking.
Compare quotes
Post the job, compare licensed carriers' quotes and ask what each covers, with no obligation to accept.
Frequently asked questions
How much does rubbish removal cost per cubic metre in London?
Indicatively around £45 to £65 per cubic metre for larger mixed loads, and more per cubic metre for small loads because of minimum charges. The real price is the quote you receive.
How much per bag does rubbish removal cost?
Roughly £3.50 to £6 per bin bag for a larger load, with small jobs often subject to a minimum of around ten bags or a minimum charge.
How many bin bags fit in a van?
Our price table shows about 150 to 160 bags for a full van load, though heavy or awkward items reduce that.
Is rubbish removal priced by weight or volume?
Mostly by volume for ordinary household waste. Heavy waste such as rubble or soil is often priced by weight or limited per load.
Why is a small load more expensive per bag or cubic metre?
Because the call-out, travel and disposal fee are fixed costs spread over less waste.
Is rubbish removal cheaper than hiring a skip?
For small or medium loads usually yes, because you pay only for the volume removed and the crew loads it. A skip can be better for a large, slow clear-out.
Ready to see your price?
Post your rubbish removal job for licensed carriers to quote on.
