Households across the London Borough of Hounslow are being advised of significant changes to their rubbish and recycling collection schedules over the Christmas and New Year period. The council has confirmed that the revised timetable will be in effect from late December, with normal service not resuming until Monday, January 12.
Revised Collection Dates for the Festive Period
The adjustments are necessary due to the upcoming bank holidays. Residents whose collections are normally scheduled for Christmas Eve will instead have their bins emptied one day earlier, on Tuesday, December 23. For those with a usual Christmas Day (Thursday) collection, the new date will be Christmas Eve, Wednesday, December 24.
Collections planned for Boxing Day will face a three-day delay, moving to Monday, December 29. All collections originally set for Monday, December 29, will then be pushed back by a further 24 hours to Tuesday, December 30.
New Year Collection Adjustments
The pattern of one-day delays continues into the New Year. Rubbish and recycling due for collection on Tuesday, December 30, will be collected on New Year's Eve (Wednesday, December 31). As New Year's Day is a bank holiday, any collections scheduled for New Year's Eve will not be collected until Friday, January 2.
If your usual collection day is New Year's Day (Thursday, January 1), your bins will now be emptied on Saturday, January 3. Collections planned for Friday, January 2, are moved to Monday, January 5.
For the entire week beginning Monday, January 5, all scheduled collections will be taken one day later than usual. The council has stated that the standard collection routine will finally be restored from Monday, January 12.
Free Christmas Tree Recycling Service
In addition to the schedule changes, Hounslow Council is running its annual free Christmas tree collection service. The local authority will collect real trees from domestic properties between Monday, January 5, and Friday, January 16.
Collections will take place on the scheduled garden waste collection week for each road. This is the same day, but alternate week, as the regular black wheelie bin collection. Residents must adhere to the following guidelines:
- Remove all lights, decorations, and stands from the tree.
- Place the tree at the boundary of your property by 7am on your collection day. Trees should not be left on the pavement.
- Ensure trees are under 6ft in height for easy handling. Larger trees should be cut in half.
The council has issued separate instructions for residents living in flats. They must contact their managing agent or residents' association, who are responsible for arranging a single bulk collection for the entire development or block through the council. More detailed information is available on the Hounslow Council website.
