Residents in the London borough of Lambeth are being advised of temporary changes to their household waste and recycling collection schedules over the festive period. The council has confirmed revised dates to account for the Christmas and New Year bank holidays, ensuring services continue with minimal disruption.
Revised Collection Dates for Christmas and New Year
Lambeth Council has outlined a straightforward shift for collections that would normally fall on the key bank holidays. If your regular collection day is a Thursday or Friday, your bins will be emptied the following day during the holiday weeks.
This means that rubbish due for collection on Friday, 26 December (Boxing Day) will instead be picked up on Saturday, 27 December. Similarly, collections scheduled for Thursday, 25 December (Christmas Day) will move to Boxing Day, Friday 26 December.
The pattern repeats for the New Year. Households with a collection due on Thursday, 1 January should expect their waste to be removed on Friday, 2 January. Those with a regular Friday collection will see their bins emptied on Saturday, 3 January.
All collection services will return to their normal schedules from Monday, 5 January.
How to Recycle Your Real Christmas Tree for Free
In a seasonal initiative, Lambeth Council will once again offer a free collection service for real Christmas trees. Residents can put their trees out for collection from Monday, 5 January onwards.
To use the service, simply leave your tree next to your bins on your scheduled collection day. The council asks that all pots, stands, and decorations are removed beforehand, as these items cannot be recycled with the tree.
Due to the significant space the trees occupy in collection vehicles, the authority has warned it can only collect a limited number each day. If your tree is not taken on the first attempt, you should take it back onto your property and present it again on your next scheduled collection day.
Alternative Disposal Options
For those living on housing estates, real trees can be left by the designated bin areas or bulky waste collection points.
Residents also have the option to book a slot and take their tree directly to one of Lambeth's recycling centres. The two main sites are the Smugglers Way Recycling Centre and the Vale Street Reuse and Recycling Centre.
An additional drop-off point will be available at Clapham Common, off Windmill Drive, for those wishing to dispose of their tree themselves.
By planning ahead and using these services, Lambeth residents can ensure their festive period is both enjoyable and environmentally responsible, helping to keep the borough clean and support recycling efforts.
