How it works
On garbage.center you set up your bins and collection pattern and save the calendar. The Add to phone button gives you a subscription link (webcal / ICS). Your phone adds it as a separate calendar and keeps the dates up to date – when you change the pattern or add a holiday change, the phone picks it up without any extra steps.
| Calendar | How to add | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone (Calendar) | tap Add to the calendar on your iPhone and confirm the subscription | automatic |
| Android (Google Calendar) | on a computer: Other calendars → From URL, then turn on sync in the app | automatic, a few hours' delay |
| Android without a computer | the free ICSx⁵ app | automatic |
| Outlook | Add calendar → Subscribe from web | automatic |
iPhone
- Open your saved calendar and tap Add to phone.
- Choose Add to the calendar on your iPhone and confirm the subscription.
- Collections appear in the Calendar app as a separate calendar you can hide or recolour.
Android and Google Calendar
The Google Calendar app can't subscribe to a link directly, so:
- Email yourself the link or copy it, then on a computer open Google Calendar → Other calendars → From URL.
- Paste the link and confirm Add calendar.
- In the Google Calendar app open ☰ → Settings, tap the new calendar and turn on Sync. Without this it won't show on your phone.
Google refreshes subscribed calendars with a delay, so changes can take a few hours to appear. If you don't have a computer to hand, the free ICSx⁵ app subscribes to the calendar directly on your phone.
Android app
The free Garbage Center – Bin Day app takes your calendar straight from the link or from the QR code on the printed PDF – no Google Calendar settings needed. The evening before collection it tells you which bin goes out, and if you don't confirm, it reminds you again in the morning. There's also a home screen widget.
Outlook
In Outlook choose Add calendar → Subscribe from web, paste the link and give the calendar a name, such as *Bin day*.
Reminders without a calendar
If you'd rather not have the dates in your calendar, turn on browser notifications on the calendar page. The reminder arrives the day before or on collection day at the time you choose, and you get a test notification straight away.
What else helps
- One calendar for the whole household. Send the link to your family – nobody needs an account to subscribe.
- Holiday changes. Add them as exceptions and your phone shows the real date. More in Christmas bin collections.
- Paper for the fridge. The same calendar is also a PDF – see printable bin calendar.
FAQ
How do I get bin day reminders on my phone?
Save your bin calendar on garbage.center and add it to your phone's calendar with the Add to phone button. An iPhone subscribes with one tap; Google Calendar via Other calendars → From URL.
Why doesn't the calendar show in Google Calendar on my phone?
Sync is probably off. Open Settings in the app, tap the added calendar and turn on Sync.
Does the calendar update itself?
Yes. Pattern changes and holiday changes come through automatically, with a few hours' delay in Google Calendar.