Christmas and New Year waste and recycling information 2025/26

· by · in Recycling and waste. ·

The festive season is one of the busiest times of the year for waste and recycling. Here’s everything you need to know about changes to your rubbish and recycling collections, Christmas tree disposals, and opening hours at Garth Road Household Reuse and Recycling Centre.

Festive Collection Changes

Recycling and waste collections will change over Christmas and New Year. Please put your bins out by 6am on your revised collection day.

Your usual collection dayYour revised collection dayChange
Thursday 25 December 2025Saturday 27 December 20252 days later
Friday 26 December 2025Monday 29 December 20253 days later
Monday 29 December 2025Tuesday 30 December 20251 day later
Tuesday 30 December 2025Wednesday 31 December 20251 day later
Wednesday 31 December 2025Friday 2 January 20262 days later
Thursday 1 January 2026Saturday 3 January 20262 days later
Friday 2 January 2026Monday 5 January 20263 days later
Monday 5 January 2026Tuesday 6 January 20261 day later
Tuesday 6 January 2026Wednesday 7 January 20261 day later
Wednesday 7 January 2026Thursday 8 January 20261 day later
Thursday 8 January 2026Friday 9 January 20261 day later
Friday 9 January 2026Saturday 10 January 20261 day later

Collections return to normal from Monday 12 January 2026.

Flats above shops:
If you live in a flat above a shop, your collection schedule will be different. You’ll receive written details directly.

For more information, visit Collection days for rubbish, recycling and garden waste.

Christmas Tree Disposal

When you’re ready to say goodbye to your real Christmas tree, there are several ways to recycle or reuse it.

Free Kerbside Collection – January 2026

Put your tree out by 6am on Tuesday 6 January 2026 and it will be collected as soon as possible.

How to prepare your tree

  • Remove all decorations and remove it from any pot or stand.
  • Place it at the front boundary of your property where crews can see it, without blocking the pavement.
  • If you live in flats with shared bins, leave your tree outside your bin store without blocking access.
  • You can also leave your tree next to your rubbish bin on your usual collection day.

We aim to recycle as many Christmas trees as possible.

Other ways to recycle your tree

  • Take it to Garth Road Household Reuse and Recycling Centre – place it in the garden waste container (booking needed).
  • Garden waste subscribers: Cut it up and place it in your garden waste bin.
  • At home: Chop it up and create a winter wildlife shelter or add it to your compost heap.

For more information, visit Dispose of your Christmas tree.

Garth Road Christmas and New Year Opening Times

Garth Road Household Reuse and Recycling Centre will be open 8am – 4pm daily throughout the festive period, except:

  • Christmas Eve: 8am – 12 noon
  • Christmas Day: Closed
  • Boxing Day: Closed
  • New Year’s Day: Closed

Advance booking via our website is essential. For more information, visit Garth Road Household Reuse and Recycling Centre, Morden.