If you live in London and regularly book a rubbish removal service, you’ve probably noticed how prices fluctuate throughout the year — even when the job itself is identical.
One week you might get a full van load collected for £250, and a few months later, the same company could quote £350 or more. It’s not random or because someone is “ripping you off.” In reality, waste removal prices in London are closely linked to demand, and that demand rises and falls depending on the season, economic factors, and the general pace of life in the city.
When demand goes up, prices follow
The busiest — and priciest — time of the year for rubbish removal is summer. From May through to September, people get busy clearing their gardens, renovating kitchens, moving houses, and considering home improvement projects. Builders are also more active in dry weather, creating far more construction and renovation waste.
During this period, waste companies’ also get busy. Their vans are booked back-to-back, and many have to hire extra staff to meet the surge in demand. Naturally, this workload pushes prices higher.
A van load that might cost around £250 in winter can easily reach £350–£420 in summer. In dense and high-demand areas such as Camden, Islington, or Kensington, costs may rise even further due to parking restrictions, congestion, and higher operating expenses.
When the market slows down, prices fall
Then comes the quieter season. To understand this better, we spoke with several London-based waste removal companies that operate daily across the city.
Things tend to quiet down around October, November, and then again after the festive season, from January through March. “Once Christmas is over, most people tighten their budgets and put off big home projects until spring,” says Rubbish Removal UK, a reputable London-based waste removal company, serving both households and businesses. The construction sector also slows during this time as firms prepare for upcoming spring projects. With colder weather and fewer outdoor tasks, garden clearances and seasonal services like decking or shed removal drop off considerably, the rubbish removal company notes.
Another London firm with over ten years of experience, All Junk Removal, agrees: “Many businesses delay large clear-outs until after the end of the financial year, which makes the first quarter of the year noticeably slower.”
This low demand forces many companies to compete harder for fewer customers, often lowering their prices or offering limited-time discounts just to keep their vans on the road and their crews busy.
“If you book a clearance in February, you can easily save £50–£80 compared to what the same job would cost in July,” says Same Day Waste Removal, known for its fast same-day service across London. “It’s the same van, same labour, same work — the only difference is demand.” You might be surprised, but there are quite a few customers who actually wait several months just to save a bit of money on their waste disposal, says the company.
But there’s a limit to how cheap it can go
Of course, there’s a point where prices can’t drop any further. Waste removal companies still have to pay for disposal, recycling, fuel, and staff — and those costs rarely decrease.
Every licensed waste company in London must take collected rubbish to an authorised recycling centre or waste transfer station. These facilities charge fixed disposal fees. They don’t adjust prices depending on how busy the market is — the cost per tonne remains roughly the same year-round.
For mixed household waste, these fees typically range from £160 to £190 per tonne. For more complex materials, such as plasterboard, fridges, or mattresses, the cost can be even higher.
On top of disposal costs, companies must cover fuel, van maintenance, insurance, parking charges, congestion fees and staff wages.
So, even during quiet months, there’s a limit to how far companies can reduce their prices without taking a loss.
If you ever receive a quote that seems suspiciously low, it’s worth being cautious. Unfortunately, some unlicensed operators cut corners by fly-tipping waste to avoid paying disposal fees. If your rubbish is later traced back to you, you could face fines of up to £5,000. Always ensure your collector is licensed by the Environment Agency and provides a valid waste transfer note after the job- this way you can proof who you are dealing with.
Money, taxes, and other economic factors
Aside from seasonal demand, wider economic trends also affect rubbish removal prices.
When inflation pushes up wages and maintenance costs, companies are forced to adjust their rates accordingly. Around the end of the financial year — typically March and April — many small businesses limit spending due to tax obligations, creating a brief dip in demand.
This can lead to short-term discounts as waste firms try to maintain steady workloads. It’s a fine balancing act: no company wants to overcharge and lose customers, but they can’t undercharge and operate at a loss either.
When’s the best time to book a clearance?
It’s clear that if you’re, for example, a construction company with an active project, you don’t really have the option to pick the time of year when waste disposal is cheaper — the work simply needs to be done. However, if you’re planning a major house or office clearance, the most cost-effective time to book is during the off-peak months, typically between January and March, or sometimes in early autumn (September to November).
During these periods, companies have more flexibility, which often means quicker scheduling and lower prices. Same-day or next-day slots are usually easier to secure, and firms are more open to negotiation.
However, price shouldn’t be your only consideration. Always check that the company is properly licensed, insured, and has solid customer reviews. Reputable companies will issue a waste transfer note for every collection and dispose of rubbish responsibly through approved recycling centres.
A market ruled by balance, not by chance
The waste removal market in London is now highly competitive. The city has dozens of licensed firms, ranging from national brands to independent local teams. Digital comparison platforms and online reviews make it easier for customers to shop around, which keeps pricing relatively fair.
Still, there’s a minimum level below which prices simply can’t fall — because disposal and recycling costs are fixed, and labour and fuel costs are not flexible either. Moreover, the cost of waste disposal has risen steadily over the years. “When we started 15 years ago, a tonne of mixed waste at recycling yards cost around £60 — today, that same tonne costs about £190,” says Rony from Rubbish Removal UK.
So while it’s true that waste removal can be cheaper in quieter months, the difference is usually moderate. You might save £50 to £100, depending on the job size, but not much more. Prices will never drop dramatically because the recycling centres and disposal facilities don’t offer seasonal discounts.
The demand truly shapes how much you’ll pay for rubbish removal in London. When the city is buzzing in summer and everyone’s clearing, renovating, and moving, prices climb. When winter hits and people tighten their budgets or focus on taxes, prices ease.
Yet, the recycling centres remain inflexible with their fees, setting a natural floor for prices.
If you can, plan your clear-out during quieter months. You’ll likely get a faster service and a better deal. But most importantly, always choose a licensed, reputable company. Paying slightly more for a professional, responsible service is far better than risking fines or environmental damage caused by illegal dumping.
Read more:
The Real Reason London’s Rubbish Removal Costs Keep Changing