Residents in the London Borough of Camden are being advised of significant alterations to their regular waste and recycling collection schedules during the upcoming Christmas and New Year holiday period.
Revised Collection Dates for Festive Period
As the council does not operate any collection services on bank holidays, the normal schedule will be disrupted. Households are reminded not to place bin bags or recycling containers out on bank holidays and to wait for their revised collection day.
The standard service will fully resume from Monday 5 January 2026. To help manage the additional festive waste, Camden is offering free extra recycling bags. These can be ordered online at camden.gov.uk/order-bins or by telephoning 020 3567 8105.
How to Recycle Your Real Christmas Tree
For those with real trees, specific recycling arrangements are in place. Designated recycling points across the borough will be open for tree disposal between 2 and 11 January 2026.
The council stresses that all decorations, lights, and tinsel must be removed from the tree before it is taken for recycling. Residents can use the council's online maps to locate their nearest drop-off point.
A strict warning has been issued against fly-tipping. Leaving trees on the street, at park boundaries, or dumping commercial waste at recycling sites is illegal. Offenders risk a fixed penalty notice for fly-tipping, which can be as high as £1,000.
Changes to Hampstead Heath and Camden Gardens Sites
Important changes affect several usual locations. For the second year running, the City of London will not be collecting trees on Hampstead Heath. Trees must not be left on surrounding streets or at the park's edge.
Residents who normally use the following closed sites should use the indicated alternatives:
- East Heath Road Car Park: Use Netherhall Gardens (at the end) or Highgate Enclosures (between Lissenden Gardens and Glenhurst Avenue).
- Jack Straw’s Castle Car Park: Use Netherhall Gardens (at the end) or Fortune Green Road Open Space (at the bottom).
- Millfield Lane (at the Men's Pond gate): Use Highgate Enclosures or the Regis Road Reuse and Recycling Centre.
Additionally, Camden Gardens will not host a recycling point this year. The council directs people to use the nearby sites at Camden Garden Centre or inside the gate on Talacre Road at Talacre Gardens.
Alternative Tree Disposal Methods
Camden offers other ways to dispose of Christmas trees responsibly. Subscribers to the council's garden waste service can have their tree collected if it is cut up to fit inside their garden waste bin or official bags.
The bulky waste collection service can also be booked for a tree removal, though standard charges for large items may apply. Alternatively, residents can take their decoration-free trees directly to the Regis Road Reuse and Recycling Centre.
For a sustainable option, the council suggests residents with outdoor space consider purchasing a living tree in a pot, which can be planted in the garden or kept for use next Christmas.
Further advice on reducing waste and saving money during the festive season is available on the North London Waste Authority's website. To stay updated on local news, residents can sign up for the MyNorthLondon newsletter.
