Residents across the London Borough of Bexley are being urged to take note of significant changes to rubbish and recycling collections over the festive period. The local authority has published its revised schedule, detailing new dates for collections missed on public holidays and providing crucial guidance on how to responsibly dispose of Christmas trees and festive packaging.
Revised Collection Dates for Christmas and New Year
Bexley Council has confirmed that there will be no waste or recycling collections on Christmas Day, Boxing Day, or New Year's Day. This disruption will affect many households, with collection days being pushed back accordingly.
If your collection was originally scheduled for Christmas Day, it will now take place on Friday, December 27. Those expecting a Boxing Day pickup must wait until Saturday, December 28. Similarly, collections due on New Year's Day (January 1) and Thursday, January 2 will be moved to January 2 and 3 respectively.
The council has stated that normal service arrangements will resume from Monday, January 5. In addition, the garden waste collection service will be suspended for a fortnight, starting from December 22 and also returning on January 5.
How to Recycle Your Christmas Tree and Festive Waste
Real Christmas trees can be disposed of via the garden waste service when it resumes. Residents must ensure all decorations, lights, and stands are removed. The tree should be cut in half and placed beside the garden waste bin on the appropriate collection day.
For festive wrapping paper and cards, the council advises using the simple 'scrunch test' to determine if an item is recyclable. If the paper stays scrunched and does not spring back, it is likely non-foil and can be placed in recycling bins once all sticky tape is removed. However, paper decorated with foil, glitter, or plastic must go into general waste, alongside ribbons, bows, and sticky tape.
The borough's two Reuse and Recycling Centres—located at Thames Road in Crayford and Maidstone Road in Foots Cray—will maintain their usual 7.30am to 4pm opening hours but will be closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and New Year's Day.
Important Safety Reminders and Additional Services
Bexley Council has issued a critical safety warning, stressing that batteries, vapes, and electrical items must never be placed in any household bin. These items pose a severe fire risk when compacted in collection vehicles or at waste processing facilities.
Small electricals can be deposited in designated recycling banks across the borough. Larger items can be taken to a Reuse and Recycling Centre or collected for a fee via the council's bulky waste service. Batteries can be recycled at the centres, council libraries, Civic Offices, or many large supermarkets. For vapes, the battery must be removed and recycled separately before the device is treated as other electrical waste.
In a boost for post-Christmas clear-outs, residents can use the charity TRAID's free home collection service for unwanted clothing. Those donating two bags of clothes can also leave out a small bag of broken small electrical items, like kettles or toasters, for collection. Bookings can be made online through the charity's website.
The council's Civic Offices in Bexleyheath will close on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and New Year's Day. For urgent out-of-hours support, residents should call 020 8303 7777.
