DORSET Council has published rubbish and recycling collection dates for the Christmas and New Year period - and is urging residents to recycle as much as possible in anticipation of extra household waste.

With Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day falling on the weekend this year, collections will go ahead as normal for a reminder of when to put your bins out see the council's online checker: mapping.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/mylocal

Household recycling centres will be open from 9am to 4pm daily, except Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day. No garden waste collections will take place from Christmas Day until Monday January 10.

What if my bin is full?

Dorset Council said it will collect up to two extra sacks of rubbish beside your bin on your first rubbish collection after Christmas Day.

Extra recycling, including glass and food, will be collected on your recycling collection day, provided it has been separated correctly and placed in a suitable sturdy container (no bags or cardboard boxes) that can be easily lifted by one person.

Residents are urged to help waste crews by putting glass out for collection before Christmas, and to recycle as much of their festive waste as possible.

Items that can be recycled in kerbside collections include:

  •  Cooked and uncooked food
  •  Wrapping paper (not foil or glittery)
  •  Cardboard and recyclable packaging (not polystyrene)
  •  Christmas cards and envelopes

    Can I leave my Christmas tree to be collected after I'm done with it?

Dorset Council does not collect Christmas trees. You can recycle your real Christmas tree by:

  •  Home composting it
  •  Cutting it up and placing it in your garden waste bin
  •  Taking it to a household recycling centre
  •  Booking a Christmas tree collection with a Dorset-based charity or service (check local availability)

Cllr Laura Miller, Dorset Council’s Portfolio Holder for Customer and Community Services, said: “Normally bin collection days are a little different over Christmas, so we wanted to make sure everyone is aware that this year everyone needs to put their bins out on their usual day of the week, even if it’s a bank holiday.

"I also want to pass my thanks and best wishes to all the waste services employees who will be working hard over the busy Christmas period. We can all make their jobs a little easier by going into the festive period with empty glass boxes and making sure our waste is separated correctly and put out on the right day.”