CHRISTMAS bins are likely to be bursting after the big day – but the bank holiday break can leave you wondering when your next collection date is.
Anyone tempted to dispose of their trash outside the rules could risk a hefty fine adding up to hundreds of pounds.
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Christmas Day is on a Saturday this year and Boxing Day on Sunday but there are two bank holidays that follow on Monday and Tuesday (December 27 and 28).
That means that your usual day for bin collections is likely to change.
And with rubbish piling over those four days, from presents and cracker to food and drink. you’ll be eager to know when the next pick up is scheduled.
When will my bins be collected over Christmas?
Bin collection schedules are down to each local council, and the days they are working this year.
Some councils won’t collect on weekends, public holidays or bank holidays so you may have to wait a couple of extra days.
Others, like Hammersmith and Fulham, will be doing collections on Monday 27 December for those who usually have it on Saturday or Sunday, even though it’s a bank holiday.
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Your usual collection date could change too if it falls on normal day between Christmas and New Year.
The local authority where you live will usually let you know about changes to your normal bin day.
This may be as a notice through your door, but will also be on its website in most cases.
You can find your local council website using the tool on gov.uk and searching your postcode.
What can I throw away in my Christmas bin collection?
Your local council will also have specific guidelines on what you can put in each of your bins.
For items like wrapping paper, cards and packaging from foods you can usually pop them in your recycling bin – but check the labels first for instructions.
Some foil wrapping for instance can’t be recycled,or sheets with heavy glitter or other decorations.
The same goes with Christmas cards and crackers.
You generally want to follow the ‘scrunch test’ for seeing if wrapping paper is suitable for recycling – i If the paper stays scrunched in a ball it can be recycled.
But remove sticky tape and bows first.
For food waste, the usual rules apply.
You’ll want to get rid of any uneaten leftovers in a food waste bin, or your own composter.
Packaging will have instructions on whether it should go in a recycling bin or not.
Some supermarkets now offer recycling for soft packaging that isn’t collected by council recycling, so you don’t have to throw it in the normal waste.
But again, double check the rules where you live as they can vary.
How to avoid hefty fines for getting it wrong
Follow the rules and you can start the new year with a smile, but get it wrong and you could have a rubbish one.
Disposing of your Christmas trash in the wrong way and you could be slapped with a fine for hundreds of pounds.
For instance North East Lincolnshire council has warned residents not to dump rubbish by recycling banks in the area.
Several sites at supermarkets and in car parks offer recycling for reasonable amounts of cans, glass, paper and plastic.
If they are full don’t be tempted to leave your trash next to it as you could be issued a penalty for fly-tipping. You can also be fined for dumping the wrong waste up to £400.
Wokingham council has issued a similar warning that residents face a £400 fine for fly-tipping if they don’t dispose of their rubbish in the right way.
The amount each local council can fine you varies, but it’s usually in the hundreds of pounds.
Meanwhile you could also be fined for dumping your Christmas Tree on the street.
Many councils offer kerbside recycling, but you need to follow the rules.
For instance in Camden there will be specific points to drop your tree between January 3 and 14.
Leave it somewhere else and you could be issued a £400 penalty for fly-tipping.
Some areas accept real Christmas trees disposed in garden waste bins, at recycling centres, or you could try planting it for using again next year.
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