If you live in London and regularly book a rubbish removal service, you’ve probably noticed that prices fluctuate throughout the year – even if the job itself is the same.
One week a full van load could be picked up for £250, and a few months later the same company could be offering £350 or more. It’s not a coincidence or because someone wants to “trick” you. In fact, rubbish disposal prices in London are closely linked to demand, and this demand rises and falls depending on the time of year, economic factors and the general rhythm of life in the city.
As demand increases, prices follow
The busiest – and most expensive – time of year for garbage disposal is summer. From May to September, people are busy clearing their yards, renovating kitchens, moving, and thinking about home improvement projects. Even in dry weather, builders are more active and generate significantly more construction and renovation waste.
Waste companies are also busy during this time. Their vans are continually fully booked and many are having to hire additional staff to meet increasing demand. This workload naturally drives up prices.
A van load that costs around £250 in winter can easily cost £350-420 in summer. In densely populated and high-demand areas such as Camden, Islington or Kensington, costs can rise even further due to parking restrictions, congestion and higher operating costs.
When the market slows, prices fall
Then comes the quieter season. To better understand this, we spoke to several London-based waste management companies who operate across the city on a daily basis.
Things get quieter around October, November and then again after the Christmas season, from January to March. “Once Christmas is over, most people cut their budgets and postpone big home projects until spring,” says Rubbish Removal UK, a reputable waste disposal company based in London that serves both households and businesses. The construction sector also slows down during this time as companies prepare for upcoming spring projects. The waste disposal company notes that with colder weather and fewer outdoor tasks, yard cleanups and seasonal services like decking or shed removal are significantly reduced.
Another London company with over a decade of experience, All Junk Removal, agrees: “Many companies are postponing large clearances until after the end of the financial year, making 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 employees busy.
“By booking 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 work, same work – the only difference is the demand.” You might be surprised, but there are quite a few customers who actually wait several months to save some money on garbage disposal, according to the company.
However, there is a limit to how cheap it can be
Of course, there is a point at which prices can no longer fall any further. Waste management companies still have to pay for disposal, recycling, fuel and staff – and these costs rarely go down.
Every licensed waste company in London must take the collected waste to an authorized recycling center or waste transfer station. These facilities charge fixed disposal fees. They do not adjust prices based on market activity – the cost per ton remains approximately the same throughout the year.
For mixed household waste these charges are typically between £160 and £190 per tonne. For more complex materials such as plasterboard, refrigerators or mattresses, the cost can be even higher.
In addition to disposal costs, companies must pay for fuel, transportation maintenance, insurance, parking fees, congestion fees and staff wages.
Therefore, even in quiet months, there is a limit to how far companies can lower their prices without incurring losses.
If you ever receive an offer that seems suspiciously low, you should be careful. Unfortunately, some unlicensed operators save money by flying the waste to avoid paying disposal fees. If your waste is later traced back to you, you could face fines of up to £5,000. Always make sure your collector has an Environment Agency license and presents a valid waste handover certificate after work – this way you can prove who you are dealing with.
Money, taxes and other economic factors
In addition to seasonal demand, general economic trends also impact garbage disposal prices.
When inflation drives up wages and living costs, companies are forced to adjust their rates accordingly. Toward the end of the fiscal year—typically in March and April—many small businesses limit spending due to tax obligations, leading to a brief dip in demand.
This can result in short-term discounts as waste companies try to maintain consistent workloads. It’s a fine balancing act: No company wants to charge too much and lose customers as a result, but it also shouldn’t charge too little and end up making a loss.
When is the best time to book a release?
For example, if you are a construction company with an active project, it is clear that you do not really have the opportunity to choose the time of year when waste disposal is cheaper – the work simply has to be done. However, if you’re planning a larger home or office clearance, the most cost-effective time to book is the off-season, usually between January and March, but sometimes early fall (September to November).
During these periods, companies have more flexibility, which often means faster scheduling and lower prices. Same-day or next-day slots are typically easier to secure and companies are more open to negotiations.
However, price should not be your only criterion. Always check that the company is properly licensed, insured and has solid customer reviews. Reputable companies issue a waste collection certificate for each collection and dispose of the waste responsibly via approved recycling centers.
A market governed by balance and not chance
The waste disposal market in London is now highly competitive. There are dozens of licensed companies in the city, from national brands to independent local teams. Digital comparison platforms and online reviews make shopping easier for customers, which keeps prices relatively fair.
However, there is a minimum level below which prices simply cannot fall – because disposal and recycling costs are fixed and labor and fuel costs are also not flexible. Additionally, the cost of waste disposal has steadily increased over the years. “When we started 15 years ago, a tonne of mixed waste cost around £60 at recycling centers – today the same tonne costs around £190,” says Rony from Rubbish Removal UK.
So it’s true that garbage disposal can be cheaper in quieter months, but the difference is usually moderate. Depending on the size of the order, you could save between £50 and £100, but not much more. Prices will never drop dramatically because recycling centers and disposal centers do not offer seasonal discounts.
Demand largely determines how much you pay for waste disposal in London. When the city is busy in the summer and everyone is clearing out, renovating and moving, prices go up. When winter comes and people cut their budgets or focus on taxes, prices go down.
Nevertheless, the recycling centers remain inflexible with their fees and set a natural price floor.
If possible, plan your eviction during quieter months. You’ll likely get faster service and a better deal. Most importantly, always choose a licensed, reputable company. Paying a little more for a professional, responsible service is far better than risking fines or environmental damage from illegal dumping.
