Christmas bin collections 2026
Christmas is the one time of year almost every council in the UK changes its bin days. Here is what to expect and how to find your new dates.
Key dates this festive season
| Date | Holiday |
|---|---|
| Friday 25 December 2026 | Christmas Day |
| Monday 28 December 2026 | Boxing Day (substitute day) |
| Friday 1 January 2027 | New Year's Day |
| Monday 4 January 2027 | 2nd January substitute day (Scotland only) |
| Monday 27 December 2027 | Christmas Day (substitute day) |
| Tuesday 28 December 2027 | Boxing Day (substitute day) |
In 2026, Christmas Day falls on a Friday and Boxing Day on a Saturday, so the Boxing Day bank holiday moves to Monday 28 December. Expect Friday collections to move into the following week, and Monday 28 December rounds to move too.
How councils usually change Christmas collections
- Rounds move later. Christmas Day and Boxing Day collections usually move a day or two later, and the knock-on effect can last until the second week of January.
- Saturday working. Many councils run Saturday catch-up rounds after Christmas and New Year.
- Garden waste pauses. Several weeks off is common, followed by Christmas tree collections in January.
- Revised calendars. Councils publish their Christmas dates from late November, often on the bin day checker itself.
Make Christmas recycling count
- Flatten every cardboard box. Christmas is when recycling bins overflow; a flattened box takes a quarter of the space.
- Do the scrunch test on wrapping paper. Foil and glitter paper goes in general waste.
- Food leftovers go in the food caddy, including turkey bones.
- Batteries from new toys and gadgets go to battery collection points, never in bins.
- Real trees: remove all decorations, then use your council's tree collection or the tip.
Find your council's Christmas dates
Christmas bin questions
Are bins collected on Christmas Day?
Very rarely. Almost every council stops on Christmas Day and Boxing Day, and many also stop on New Year's Day. Those rounds are moved, usually later, and the change can ripple into the first week of January.
What happens to garden waste over winter?
Many councils pause garden waste collections for a few weeks between December and February, and use the first rounds in January to collect real Christmas trees.
Can I put extra rubbish out after Christmas?
Some councils take a limited number of extra bags or extra recycling on the first collection after Christmas. Others are strict about closed lids. Check before you put extra out, as side waste can be left behind.