BIN collections are set to be pushed back a day or two over the Christmas period, BCP Council has confirmed.

Residents are being advised to take note of their dates and put bins out by 5am to avoid missed collections.

There will be no collections on:

  • Christmas Day – Wednesday, December 25
  • Boxing Day – Thursday, December 26
  • New Year's Day – Wednesday, January 1

The council is reminding residents that rubbish left next or on top of bins will not be collected.

Normal dates will change to:

  • Wednesday, December 25 to Friday, December 27
  • Thursday, December 26 to Saturday, December 28
  • Friday, December 27 to Monday, December 30
  • Monday, December 30 to Tuesday, December 31
  • Tuesday, December 31 to Thursday, January 2
  • Wednesday, January 1 to Friday, January 3
  •  Thursday, January 2 to Saturday, January 4
  • Friday, January 3 to Monday, January 6
  • Monday, January 6 to Tuesday, January 7
  • Tuesday, January 7 to Wednesday, January 8
  • Wednesday, January 8 to Thursday, January 9
  • Thursday, January 9 to Friday, January 10
  • Friday, January 10 to Saturday, January 11

Extra waste can be disposed of at BCP Recycling Centre at Millhams in Longham, Wilverly Road in Christchurch or Nuffield in Poole.

The recycling centres will operate on reduced hours over the festive period:

  • Christmas Eve – Tuesday December 24 – closed from 1pm
  • Christmas Day – Wednesday, December 25 – closed
  • Boxing Day, Thursday December 26 – closed
  • New Year’s Eve – Tuesday, December 31 – closed from 1pm
  • New Year’s Day – Wednesday, January 1 – closed

Real Christmas trees can be recycled at the centres or local charities can collect including Diverse Abilities, Dorset Mind, Julia’s House and Lewis-Manning Hospice Care.

For residents signed up to garden waste services, Christmas trees can be cut up and placed in garden waste to be collected from the end of January.

BCP Council is also encouraging residents to “think green” by buying loose vegetables, avoiding over packaged gifts, not using disposable napkins or tableware and buying rechargeable batteries.

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.”