Get ready, Leeds residents! This Christmas, your bin collections are shifting on Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and New Year’s Day, so double-check your schedule on the Leeds Council website or the handy Leeds Bins app.
Remember to fill your green bin with glass, cardboard, and plastics, and for those tricky batteries, head to designated collection sites – let’s keep Leeds sparkling clean!
What are the Christmas bin collection dates and recycling tips for Leeds residents?
Leeds residents should check the adjusted Christmas bin collection dates via the Leeds Council website or the Leeds Bins app. Bins won’t be collected on Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and New Year’s Day. Use green bins for glass, cardboard, and plastics, and recycle batteries separately at collection sites.
Important Bin Collection Changes Over the Festive Period
As the Christmas season approaches, Leeds City Council is rolling out adjusted bin collection schedules to ensure residents can manage their household waste effectively. All households in Leeds will receive a flyer detailing the temporary changes to collection days, making it easier to plan for the extra holiday waste. This information is readily available online at the Leeds City Council bins and recycling page, within the Leeds Bins mobile app – which offers personalized reminders – and across the council’s social media platforms.
Bin collection crews will only take a break on three specific days: Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and New Year’s Day. For all other days from Sunday 21 December through Sunday 4 January, collections will operate, including exceptional Sunday service to maintain coverage. As stated by the Leeds City Council, “collection days return to normal from Monday 5 January 2026,” helping residents transition seamlessly back to their routine after the holidays.
For the benefit of all Leeds residents, the temporary schedule ensures no one misses their bin collection. The Council emphasizes the need for community awareness: “It is important all households are aware when their collections will be over the holiday period and remember to put their bins out at the right time.” This critical message seeks to avoid confusion and overflowing bins during a high-waste time of year.
Recycling Guidance and Green Bin Usage
Leeds City Council is placing significant emphasis on recycling, particularly the effective use of the green bin for recyclable materials. Residents are encouraged to utilize their green bin for glass bottles and jars, as increased consumption of festive drinks often leads to additional glass waste. Proper recycling reduces landfill usage, conserves resources, and supports Leeds’ sustainability goals.
In addition to glass, the Council advises residents to include all appropriate recyclable packaging, such as cardboard and most plastics, in the green bin. Regular reminders are issued: “We are keen to encourage people to recycle as much as possible and to use the household waste recycling centres if they need to.” This message reflects the need for collective action to reduce holiday-related landfill waste.
A crucial piece of recycling advice from the Council concerns the safe disposal of batteries. Batteries must not be placed in household bins due to the risk of causing fires within refuse collection vehicles or at waste processing facilities. Instead, they should be taken to the nearest battery recycling collection point. Information about suitable disposal locations can be accessed on the Leeds City Council recycling sites page, helping residents comply safely with recycling regulations.
Household Waste Recycling Centres and Additional Support
To accommodate the seasonal surge in waste and packaging, Leeds’ household waste recycling centres will extend operational availability apart from closure on Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and New Year’s Day. On all other days, these centres are open from 8am to 4pm, giving residents ample time to safely dispose of excess festive waste, packaging, and recyclable materials that cannot fit in home bins. Up-to-date site information, including locations and accepted waste types, is provided at the council’s recycling sites portal.
For items such as worn-out decorations, large boxes, and broken electricals, the centres remain the most sustainable disposal option. The Council’s waste teams work diligently during this peak time, offering both standard collection and expanded centre availability. As noted in council communications, “We also thank all of the waste teams working over the Christmas holidays, their efforts are much appreciated,” highlighting the dedication of staff who help keep Leeds clean and green.
The post-holiday period often brings another disposal challenge: real Christmas trees. As part of the city’s environmental efforts, Leeds City Council supports local hospices, St Gemma’s and Sue Ryder, which offer Christmas tree collection services in early January. Details about this program – and additional tips for a greener Christmas – are available at the Top Tips for a Greener Christmas campaign page. By participating in the tree collection service, residents can help support charity work while ensuring trees are composted responsibly.
Practical Tips for Residents During the Festive Season
With changes to standard collection days and the expectation of more waste, Leeds City Council recommends several strategies for managing household rubbish efficiently:
- Check your bin day in advance: Utilize resources like the online bin calendar or the Leeds Bins app for up-to-date reminders.
- Sort your waste thoughtfully: Make use of green bins for glass bottles, jars, cardboard, and clean plastic packaging. Collect batteries, electronics, and other hazardous waste separately for responsible disposal at recycling centres.
- Plan visits to recycling centres: Schedule drop-offs when convenient, avoiding Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and New Year’s Day, when centres are closed.
The Council also highlights the environmental importance of these habits. Proper waste sorting not only prevents overfilled bins but also underpins the city’s approach to sustainability. “As well as the obvious extra festive packaging and cardboard, we would like to use this opportunity remind everyone that they can also put empty glass bottles and jars in their green bin.”
The coordinated efforts of residents and city services help maintain cleanliness through the season. For questions or further information, the Leeds City Council communications and marketing team is available via communicationsteam@leeds.gov.uk or by telephone at 0113 378 6007. This outreach ensures that no resident is left without helpline support during the festive period.
- Bin collections in Leeds will be adjusted on Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and New Year’s Day.
- Residents should check the Leeds City Council website or the Leeds Bins app for their revised collection schedules.
- Green bins are for glass, cardboard, and most plastics.
- Batteries should not be placed in household bins but taken to designated recycling collection points.
- Household waste recycling centres will be open from 8 am to 4 pm on most days during the festive period, except for Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and New Year’s Day.