Changes to festive bin collections

Rubbish, recycling and food waste collections will temporarily change over the festive period across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP).

We advise residents to take note of their revised collection date(s) and to have their bins out by 5am on the day to avoid any missed collections this Christmas and New Year.

There will be no bin collections on:

• Christmas Day, Wednesday 25 December

• Boxing Day, Thursday 26 December

• New Years Day, Wednesday 1 January 2025

We understand households have extra waste over Christmas, but our teams are unable to collect additional bags of rubbish that are left next to, or on top of your bins.

Extra waste can be recycled or disposed of at one of your local BCP Recycling Centres, located at Millhams, Longham; Wilverley Road, Christchurch; or Nuffield, Poole.

All recycling centres are open 9am - 4pm daily, but there will be reduced opening hours and festive closures on:

• Christmas Eve, Tuesday 24 December (closed from 1pm)

• Christmas Day, Wednesday 25 December (closed)

• Boxing Day, Thursday 26 December (closed)

• New Year’s Eve, Tuesday 31 December (closed from 1pm)

• New Year's Day, Wednesday 1 January 2025 (closed)

You can also take your real Christmas tree to one of our recycling centres for composting.

Alternatively, in many locations local charities including Diverse Abilities, Dorset Mind, Julia’s House and Lewis-Manning Hospice Care can collect your real Christmas tree for a small donation after the festive period. Check if they are collecting in your area and book early to avoid disappointment.  

If you're signed up to our garden waste service, you can cut up your real Christmas tree and place it in your garden waste bin ready for the first collection from the end of January 2025.

With over three million tonnes of additional waste generated at this time of year, BCP Council is encouraging all residents to think green this holiday season.

Planning ahead and making small changes really can make a big difference. Consider avoiding over packaged gifts; buying festive vegetables loose or in a reusable bag; not using disposable napkins or tableware; buying rechargeable batteries for children’s toys; and recycling your mulled wine bottles, sweet tins and mince pie wrappers.

Councillor Andy Hadley, Portfolio Holder for Climate Response, Environment and Energy at BCP Council, said:

“For many of our hard-working residents, with Christmas and New Year comes a deserved rest. Avoid the stress of missing a bin collection by taking note of any temporary schedule changes early, and let our teams handle the rest.

“BCP Council is committed to meet Government targets by making all its services carbon neutral by 2030, aiming for a sustainable place for everyone. These efforts are still important during the holiday season.

“It’s important that we all take time over the festive period to reduce, reuse, repair, repurpose and recycle wherever possible, helping to protect our beautiful coastal area.

“Unwanted serviceable items can be donated to charity shops, or via our recycling centres to the ‘new to you’ facility – a reuse shop full of affordable reclaimed items. Doing this early might create a Christmas present opportunity for someone.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank our dedicated refuse teams, who work tirelessly throughout the year, including over the majority of the festive period, to ensure our homes and streets stay rubbish-free. Please help them by recycling what you can and placing your bins out on time.”

For more information, and for changes to commercial waste collections, please visit: Christmas and New Year services | BCP

Your normal collection	Your collection will change to:
Wednesday 25 December	Friday 27 December
Thursday 26 December	Saturday 28 December
Friday 27 December	Monday 30 December
Monday 30 December	Tuesday 31 December
Tuesday 31 December	Thursday 2 January
Wednesday 1 January	Friday 3 January
Thursday 2 January	Saturday 4 January
Friday 3 January	Monday 6 January
Monday 6 January	Tuesday 7 January
Tuesday 7 January	Wednesday 8 January
Wednesday 8 January	Thursday 9 January
Thursday 9 January	Friday 10 January
Friday 10 January	Saturday 11 January