Residents across the London Borough of Hackney are being advised of significant alterations to their regular rubbish and recycling schedules during the upcoming festive break.
Revised Collection Dates for Christmas and New Year
The local authority has confirmed it will not operate any bin lorry services on official bank holidays. This policy means that households must store their waste bags indoors until their next scheduled pickup. While collections scheduled for Tuesday 23 and Wednesday 24 December 2025 will proceed as normal, residents whose usual day falls later in the week will face delays.
Those expecting a collection on Thursday 25 December (Christmas Day) will now be serviced on Saturday 27 December. Similarly, the Friday 26 December (Boxing Day) collection is pushed back to Sunday 28 December.
The New Year period brings further adjustments. The Thursday 1 January 2026 pickup moves to Friday 2 January, and the Friday 2 January collection shifts to Saturday 3 January. The council has emphasised that all bins and green recycling sacks must be placed at the property boundary by 6am on the revised collection day.
Normal collection schedules will resume from Tuesday 6 January 2026.
How to Recycle Your Real Christmas Tree
Hackney Council is offering residents several options for disposing of real Christmas trees once the festivities are over. The simplest method is for households subscribed to the council's paid garden waste service. Trees will be collected on their scheduled garden waste day.
Residents must remove all decorations, tinsel, and stands, and place the tree at their front property boundary by 6am. Those living in flats with a communal garden waste subscription should leave their tree beside the garden waste bin, ensuring it does not block access.
Bulky Waste and Free Drop-Off Points
For those not subscribed to the garden waste scheme, a paid bulky waste collection can be booked via the council's website. This service starts at £23 for up to five items, with concessions available for eligible residents. Bookings for Christmas tree collections open on 29 December 2025 at hackney.gov.uk/bulky-waste.
Alternatively, from 2 January to 31 January 2026, residents can take their trees to one of several designated drop-off sites completely free of charge. The council has confirmed the following locations will accept trees:
- Clissold Park
- Hackney Marshes
- Haggerston Park
- Millfields Road Depot
- Hackney Downs Park
- Shoreditch Park
By providing these services, the council aims to encourage responsible disposal and ensure the borough's streets remain clean after the holiday period.
