These are the biggest London boroughs by population and their revised bin collection dates (Picture: Metro Graphics/Datawrapper)
It’s the most wonderful time of the year – as long as your bins don’t end up overflowing with wrapping paper, turkey bones and chocolate wrappers.
The festive period is approaching, and we’re set to produce a lot of rubbish as we unwrap gifts, prepare huge meals for friends and family, and munch on plenty of cheese and chocolates.
But due to the bank holidays on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day, some household waste and recycling collections may be disrupted.
Thankfully Metro.co.uk has rounded up the Christmas bin collection times for every London borough, to make sure nobody’s festive spirit is dampened by a stinking, overflowing bin.
City of London
Collections are not taking place on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day, or New Year’s Day.
There is a normal service for all other dates during the festive period, with normal service resuming again on January 2.
People across London will see their bin collections disrupted over the Christmas and new year period (Picture: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
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Barking and Dagenham
Christmas Day collections move to December 27
Boxing Day collections move to December 28
December 27 collections move to December 29
December 28 collections move to December 30
December 29 collections move to January 2
New Year’s Day collections move to January 3
January 2 collections move to January 4
January 3 collections move to January 5
January 4 collections move to January 6
January 5 collections move to January 8
January 8 collections move to January 9
January 9 collections move to January 10
January 10 collections move to January 11
January 11 collections move to January 12
January 12 collections move to January 13
Barnet
Christmas Day collections move to December 23 (brought forward)
Boxing Day collections move to December 27
December 27 collections move to December 28
December 28 collections move to December 29
December 29 collections move to December 30
New Year’s Day collections move to January 2
January 2 collections move to January 3
January 3 collections move to January 4
January 4 collections move to January 5
January 5 collections move to January 6
Bexley
Christmas Day collections move to December 27
Boxing Day collections move to December 28
December 27 collections move to December 29
December 28 collections move to December 30
December 29 collections move to December 31
New Year’s Day collections move to January 2
January 2 collections move to January 3
January 3 collections move to January 4
January 4 collections move to January 5
January 5 collections move to January 6
Brent
Brent council has not yet confirmed its festive bin collection dates. If you live in Brent, keep an eye on their website for the dates to be announced.
Bromley
Christmas Day collections move to December 27
Boxing Day collections move to December 28
December 27 collections move to December 29
December 28 collections move to December 30
December 29 collections move to January 2
New Year’s Day collections move to January 3
January 2 collections move to January 4
January 3 collections move to January 5
January 4 collections move to January 6
January 5 collections move to January 8
January 8 collections move to January 9
January 9 collections move to January 10
January 10 collections move to January 11
January 11 collections move to January 12
January 12 collections move to January 13
Camden
Christmas Day collections move to December 27
Boxing Day collections move to December 28
December 27 collections move to December 29
December 28 collections move to December 30
December 29 collections move to December 31
New Year’s Day collections move to January 2
January 2 collections move to January 3
January 3 collections move to January 4
January 4 collections move to January 5
January 5 collections move to January 6
More: Trending
Croydon
Christmas Day collections move to December 27
Boxing Day collections move to December 28
December 27 collections move to December 29
December 28 collections move to December 30
December 29 collections move to January 2
New Year’s Day collections move to January 3
January 2 collections move to January 4
January 3 collections move to January 5
January 4 collections move to January 6
January 5 collections move to January 8
January 8 collections move to January 9
January 9 collections move to January 10
January 10 collections move to January 11
January 11 collections move to January 12
January 12 collections move to January 13
Ealing
Christmas Day collections move to December 27
Boxing Day collections move to December 28
December 27 collections move to December 29
December 28 collections move to December 30
December 29 collections move to January 2
New Year’s Day collections move to January 3
January 2 collections move to January 4
January 3 collections move to January 5
January 4 collections move to January 6
January 5 collections move to January 8
January 8 collections move to January 9
January 9 collections move to January 10
January 10 collections move to January 11
January 11 collections move to January 12
January 12 collections move to January 13
Enfield
Christmas Day collections move to December 27
Boxing Day collections move to December 28
December 27 collections move to December 29
December 28 collections move to December 30
December 29 collections move to December 31
New Year’s Day collections move to January 2
January 2 collections move to January 3
January 3 collections move to January 4
January 4 collections move to January 5
January 5 collections move to January 6
Greenwich
Christmas Day collections move to December 27
Boxing Day collections move to December 28
December 27 collections move to December 29
December 28 collections move to December 30
December 29 collections move to December 31
New Year’s Day collections move to January 2
January 2 collections move to January 3
January 3 collections move to January 4
January 4 collections move to January 5
January 5 collections move to January 6
Hackney
Hackney council has not yet announced its amended rubbish collections over the festive period. Keep an eye on their website for updates.
Hammersmith and Fulham
Christmas Day collections move to December 27
Boxing Day collections move to December 28
December 27 collections move to December 29
December 28 collections move to December 30
December 29 collections moved to December 31
December 30 collections move to December 31
New Year’s Day collections move to January 2
January 2 collections move to January 3
January 3 collections move to January 4
January 4 collections move to January 5
January 5 collections move to January 6
Haringey
Christmas Day collections move to December 27
Boxing Day collections move to December 28
December 27 collections move to December 29
December 28 collections move to December 30
December 29 collections moved to December 31
New Year’s Day collections move to January 2
January 2 collections move to January 3
January 3 collections move to January 4
January 4 collections move to January 5
January 5 collections move to January 6
Harrow
Harrow council has listed its service changes based on the day of the week your bin is normally collected.
Monday collection days will be moved to December 27 and January 2
Tuesday collection days will move to December 27 and 28, and January 2 and 3
Wednesday collection days will move to December 28 and 29, and January 3 and 4
Thursday collection days will move to December 29 and 30, and January 4 and 5
Friday collection days will move to December 30 and January 6
Havering
Christmas Day collections move to December 27
Boxing Day collections move to December 28
December 27 collections move to December 29
December 28 collections move to December 30
December 29 collections move to January 2
New Year’s Day collections move to January 3
January 2 collections move to January 4
January 3 collections move to January 5
January 4 collections move to January 6
January 5 collections move to January 8
January 8 collections move to January 9
January 9 collections move to January 10
January 10 collections move to January 11
January 11 collections move to January 12
January 12 collections move to January 13
Hillingdon
Christmas Day collections move to December 23 (brought forward)
Boxing Day collections move to December 27
December 27 collections move to December 28
December 28 collections move to December 29
December 29 collections move to December 30
New Year’s Day collections move to January 2
January 2 collections move to January 3
January 3 collections move to January 4
January 4 collections move to January 5
January 5 collections move to January 6
Hounslow
Christmas Day collections move to December 23 (brought forward)
Boxing Day collections move to December 27
December 27 collections move to December 28
December 28 collections move to December 29
December 29 collections move to December 30
New Year’s Day collections move to January 2
January 2 collections move to January 3
January 3 collections move to January 4
January 4 collections move to January 5
January 5 collections move to January 6
Islington
In Islington, recycling and rubbish collection times will be one day later than usual from Christmas Day until January 5.
Kensington and Chelsea
Christmas Day collections move to December 28
Boxing Day collections move to December 29
New Year’s Day collections move to January 4
Kingston upon Thames
Christmas Day collections move to December 27
Boxing Day collections move to December 28
December 27 collections move to December 29
December 28 collections move to December 30
December 29 collections move to January 2
New Year’s Day collections move to January 3
January 2 collections move to January 4
January 3 collections move to January 5
January 4 collections move to January 6
January 5 collections move to January 8
January 8 collections move to January 9
January 9 collections move to January 10
January 10 collections move to January 11
January 11 collections move to January 12
January 12 collections move to January 13
More: Trending
Lambeth
Christmas Day collections move to Boxing Day
Boxing Day collections move to December 27
December 27 collections move to December 28
December 28 collections move to December 29
December 29 collections move to December 30
New Year’s Day collections move to January 2
January 2 collections move to January 3
January 3 collections move to January 4
January 4 collections move to January 5
January 5 collections move to January 6
Lewisham
Christmas Day collections move to December 27
Boxing Day collections move to December 28
December 27 collections move to December 29
December 28 collections move to December 30
December 29 collections moved to December 31
New Year’s Day collections move to January 2
January 2 collections move to January 3
January 3 collections move to January 4
January 4 collections move to January 5
January 5 collections move to January 6
Merton
Christmas Day collections move to December 27
Boxing Day collections move to December 28
December 27 collections move to December 29
December 28 collections move to December 30
December 29 collections move to January 2
New Year’s Day collections move to January 3
January 2 collections move to January 4
January 3 collections move to January 5
January 4 collections move to January 6
January 5 collections move to January 8
January 8 collections move to January 9
January 9 collections move to January 10
January 10 collections move to January 11
January 11 collections move to January 12
January 12 collections move to January 13
Newham
Christmas Day collections move to December 27
Boxing Day collections move to December 28
December 27 collections move to December 29
December 28 collections move to December 30
December 29 collections move to January 2
New Year’s Day collections move to January 3
January 2 collections move to January 4
January 3 collections move to January 5
January 4 collections move to January 6
January 5 collections move to January 8
January 8 collections move to January 9
January 9 collections move to January 10
January 10 collections move to January 11
January 11 collections move to January 12
January 12 collections move to January 13
Can I recycle these Christmas items?
Real Christmas trees: Yes, if all decorations and pots/stands are removed, real trees can be recycled and turned into chippings for parks. Some London councils are offering free tree pick-ups in the weeks after Christmas.
Baubles: No, both glass and plastic baubles can’t be recycled.
Tinsel: No, tinsel can’t be recycled.
Wreaths: Natural materials on wreaths, like ivy, fir cones, mistletoe and holly, can be composted as long as they are not covered with excessive glitter. Artificial decorations like ribbons and plastic flowers can’t be recycled.
Christmas cards: Most cards and envelopes can be recycled, but extras like ribbons, glitter and bows can’t be recycled and need to be torn off the card before recycling.
Fairy lights: Yes, tree lights can be recycled with small electricals at recycling centres. Some local authorities also collect electricals as part of their recycling collections.
Wrapping paper: Wrapping paper can only be recycled if it’s non-foil and doesn’t include glitter, sticky tape or other embellishments. Use the scrunch test – if you scrunch up the paper and it doesn’t spring back, it can be recycled.
Redbridge
Christmas Day collections move to December 27
Boxing Day collections move to December 28
December 27 collections move to December 29
December 28 collections move to December 30
December 29 collections move to January 2
New Year’s Day collections move to January 3
January 2 collections move to January 4
January 3 collections move to January 5
January 4 collections move to January 6
January 5 collections move to January 8
January 8 collections move to January 9
January 9 collections move to January 10
January 10 collections move to January 11
January 11 collections move to January 12
January 12 collections move to January 13
Richmond upon Thames
Christmas Day collections move to December 27
Boxing Day collections move to December 28
December 27 collections move to December 29
December 28 collections move to December 30
December 29 collections moved to December 31
New Year’s Day collections move to January 2
January 2 collections move to January 3
January 3 collections move to January 4
January 4 collections move to January 5
January 5 collections move to January 6
Southwark
Christmas Day collections move to December 27
Boxing Day collections move to December 28
December 27 collections move to December 29
December 28 collections move to December 30
December 29 collections moved to December 31
New Year’s Day collections move to January 2
January 2 collections move to January 3
January 3 collections move to January 4
January 4 collections move to January 5
January 5 collections move to January 6
Sutton
Christmas Day collections move to December 27
Boxing Day collections move to December 28
December 27 collections move to December 29
December 28 collections move to December 30
December 29 collections move to January 2
December 30 collections move to January 2
New Year’s Day collections move to January 3
January 2 collections move to January 4
January 3 collections move to January 5
January 4 collections move to January 6
January 5 collections move to January 8
January 6 collections move to January 8
January 8 collections move to January 9
January 9 collections move to January 10
January 10 collections move to January 11
January 11 collections move to January 12
January 12 collections move to January 13
More: Trending
Tower Hamlets
Christmas Day collections move to Boxing Day
Boxing Day collections move to December 27
December 27 collections move to December 28
December 28 collections move to December 29
December 29 collections move to December 30
New Year’s Day collections move to January 2
January 2 collections move to January 3
January 3 collections move to January 4
January 4 collections move to January 5
January 5 collections move to January 6
Waltham Forest
Christmas Day collections move to December 27
Boxing Day collections move to December 28
December 27 collections move to December 29
December 28 collections move to December 30
December 29 collections move to January 2
New Year’s Day collections move to January 3
January 2 collections move to January 4
January 3 collections move to January 5
January 4 collections move to January 6
January 5 collections move to January 8
January 8 collections move to January 9
January 9 collections move to January 10
January 10 collections move to January 11
January 11 collections move to January 12
January 12 collections move to January 13
Wandsworth
Christmas Day collections move to Boxing Day
Boxing Day collections move to December 27
December 27 collections move to December 28
December 28 collections move to December 29
December 29 collections move to December 30
New Year’s Day collections move to January 2
January 2 collections move to January 3
January 3 collections move to January 4
January 4 collections move to January 5
January 5 collections move to January 6
Westminster
Christmas Day collections move to December 27
New Year’s Day collections move to January 3
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It’s the most wonderful time of the year – as long as your bins don’t end up overflowing with wrapping paper, turkey bones and chocolate wrappers.