A flooded home creates a lot of waste quickly, some of it ordinary and some of it not. GOV.UK guidance on what to do after a flood says most things can be put in the bin unless they are polluted by sewage or chemicals, and that the local council can help with skips, extra collections and hazardous waste. This guide summarises that guidance and the Environment Agency’s rules for councils storing used sandbags. It applies to England only, because GOV.UK points to separate guidance for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, and it is general information, not advice on a particular property.

Before anything is thrown away

GOV.UK says that before starting to clear up, a householder should take photos of any damage and the flood water line, and speak to the insurance company about what can be moved and what can be thrown away. Renters are told that the landlord is responsible for repairs to the home if there is flood damage. GOV.UK also warns that flood water may contain sewage and hide rubbish, wreckage, uneven roads and pavements, or broken drain and manhole covers.

What can go in the bin

GOV.UK says most things can be put in the bin as long as they are not polluted by sewage or chemicals. For larger volumes, it says to contact the local council if skips or extra rubbish collections are needed. Ordinary council services for oversized items are explained in the guide to council bulky waste collections, and the rules on hiring a skip are in the guide to hiring a skip.

Items polluted by sewage or chemicals

For items that have been polluted, the guidance says to contact the environmental health department at the local council. The council will tell the householder how to dispose of them as hazardous waste. GOV.UK treats these items separately from the ordinary bin route. The general rules for sorting household waste are in the guide to general, recycling or hazardous waste, and disposal of leftover chemicals is covered in the guide to leftover paint and household chemicals.

Used sandbags

GOV.UK says that if sandbags have been used, the householder should check with the local council about how to dispose of them. Behind that advice sits Environment Agency regulatory position statement RPS 168, which applies in England. It is written for local authorities, and those acting for them, that set up temporary collection points to store waste sandbags used during a flood, coded 17 09 03* or 17 09 04 in the waste list. It does not change the legal requirement to hold an environmental permit for a waste operation. Instead, the Environment Agency says it will not normally take enforcement action if the activity fits the description and the conditions are met.

The conditions are that the operator must:

• store all waste sandbags in a secure place that the public cannot access;
• carry out a visual and smell assessment to help decide whether they may be hazardous waste, for example because of contamination with oil or fuels;
• keep sandbags that may be contaminated in secure containers, or an area with impermeable pavement and sealed drainage;
• use a registered waste carrier to move them to a permitted site for recovery or disposal;
• keep records for 2 years showing compliance.

Waste sandbags must not be stored for longer than 3 months before being sent to a permitted site. The statement adds that the activity must not cause, or be likely to cause, pollution or harm to human health, and must not cause a risk to water, air, soil, plants or animals, or a nuisance through noise or odours. An operator that can no longer comply must stop the activity and tell the Environment Agency immediately. The Environment Agency says it intends to review the statement by 30 September 2026, so the current version should be checked.

If there is no insurance

GOV.UK says that a household without insurance can contact the local council if emergency housing is needed because of flooding, and the council may be able to tell the household about grants or charities that can help with repairs. For information and advice, GOV.UK gives Floodline as a 24-hour service on 0345 988 1188.

FAQs

Can flood-damaged furniture go in my normal bin?

GOV.UK says most things can be put in the bin as long as they are not polluted by sewage or chemicals. Items that are polluted should be raised with the council’s environmental health department.

Who do I ask about skips after a flood?

GOV.UK says to contact the local council if skips or extra rubbish collections are needed.

What should I do with used sandbags?

GOV.UK says to check with the local council about how to dispose of them.

The bottom line

After a flood in England, GOV.UK says to photograph the damage and speak to the insurer before throwing anything away, that most items can go in the bin unless polluted by sewage or chemicals, and that the council can arrange skips, extra collections and hazardous waste disposal. Councils storing waste sandbags follow Environment Agency RPS 168 conditions. This is general information, not legal advice.

Sources

This guide draws on the following primary sources, current as of 25 September 2026:

• GOV.UK, “What to do after a flood”
• Environment Agency, “Temporary storage of waste sandbags after a flood: RPS 168” (updated 9 February 2024)

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