If you live in London and you have used private waste collection services, you’ve probably noticed that rubbish removal prices differ from time to time. Also, different companies charge different prices per load, for example. One company quotes £250, another £350, and then you find someone online saying they can do it for £100. It’s confusing, and honestly, a bit annoying when you’re just trying to get your waste cleared.

According to a recent Business Matters Magazine article, since the recycling cost at the tipping yards are relatively constant and changing once or two times a year, the main reason for these fluctuations most likely is is demand. When everyone’s renovating, gardening, or moving house — especially during summer — rubbish removal companies get busier, vans are fully booked, and prices naturally go up. In quieter months like February or November, there’s less work around, so customers often get better deals.

It’s Not Just About Demand:

People often think prices change because companies “feel like it.” Not really. A huge part of the cost comes from the recycling yards, which charge licensed waste carriers a fixed disposal fee for every tonne of rubbish — and those prices have been going up for years.

Fifteen years ago, it cost around £60 per tonne of mixed waste. Now, some London recycling yards charge nearly £190–£200 per tonne. That’s not a small difference.
So, even if demand goes down, these disposal costs don’t. They’re basically the “base price” every legitimate waste removal business must pay before even counting fuel or labour.

Comparing London Rubbish Removal Companies

Let’s take a simple example. For a standard full van load of mixed household rubbish:

• Snappy Rubbish Removals charges around £250–£320, depending on weight and location.
• Rubbish Removal UK charges £250 per van load, however, it depends on the total weight of the waste collected
• Clearabee, one of the big national brands, starts from about £299 for a full van.
• Junkwize advertises £295+VAT, which ends up close to £350 once everything’s added.
• Smaller local operators might quote £150–£200, but you often find out they’re not licensed or they leave half the stuff behind.

So yes, prices vary — but usually because of what’s included. With a licensed company, you’re paying for proper disposal, fuel, labour, parking, congestion, insurance, and even the paperwork that proves your waste didn’t end up fly-tipped somewhere in Essex.

London Isn’t Cheap to Work In

It’s also worth remembering that London operators face extra expenses like parking, congestion charges, insurance, and fuel — all of which add up.
Our vans often visit two or three disposal stations per day, and every trip costs time and money. In smaller towns, waste yards are cheaper and closer. In London, just crossing the river can mean another £15 in charges and half an hour in traffic.

So while you might save £50–£100 by booking during the quieter season, the base cost of professional, licensed disposal remains fairly constant.

Why Some Companies Charge “Too Cheap”

When you see a company offering a full van for £100–£150, be careful.
Some of them are unlicensed and don’t pay for legal disposal. They simply dump rubbish in a field or down an alley to save money. You might not notice until the council tracks the waste back to your address and sends you a £400 fine.

We’ve actually had jobs where people called us to collect the same rubbish twice — first time by a “cheap” team that disappeared with half of it.

What You’re Really Paying For

When you hire a professional company like Snappy, you’re not just paying for a few guys and a van. You’re paying for:

• Proper disposal at licensed recycling yards
• Two-person labour to load everything safely
• Fuel and transport across London
• Parking and congestion zone fees
• Insurance and Environment Agency licensing (CBDU licence)
• Sorting and recycling to reduce landfill

Add that all together, and it becomes clearer why responsible rubbish removal isn’t dirt cheap — but it’s worth it for peace of mind.