Hackney Festive Bin Collection Changes: Christmas Tree Recycling Guide

Residents in the East London borough of Hackney are being advised of significant changes to their rubbish and recycling collection schedules over the Christmas and New Year period.

Normal services will be disrupted due to the bank holidays, with collections set to resume fully on Tuesday, 6 January 2026. The council has confirmed it does not operate any collection services on bank holidays.

Revised Collection Dates for Festive Period

Households with a regular Tuesday or Wednesday collection will see no change to their schedule. However, residents whose bins are usually emptied on a Thursday or Friday during Christmas week will experience a two-day delay.

Residents are reminded to keep any uncollected waste indoors until their next scheduled pick-up day. The council has also issued a standard request: "Please move your bins and green sacks to the edge of your property by 6am on your collection day."

How to Recycle Your Real Christmas Tree

For those wondering what to do with their festive fir, Hackney Council has outlined several disposal options. Subscribers to the council's garden waste service can have their tree collected on their scheduled garden waste day.

All decorations must be removed, and trees should be placed at the front boundary of the property by 6am. People living in blocks with a garden waste subscription should place their tree next to the communal garden waste bin, ensuring they do not block access.

Alternative Tree Disposal Methods

For non-subscribers, real trees can be collected via the council's bulky waste service. Bookings for this service open from 29 December, with collections starting from £23 for up to five items. Council concessions are available for eligible residents. Bookings can be made online at hackney.gov.uk/bulky-waste.

A free drop-off service will also be available at several locations across Hackney from 2 January to 31 January 2026. The designated sites are: