With wrapping paper piling up and turkey leftovers filling the fridge, knowing when to put the bins out is the one bit of ‘admin’ you don’t want to get wrong this festive season.
Stratford-on-Avon District Council has released the revised collection schedule for Christmas 2025 and New Year 2026. To help you navigate the changes, we have compiled every single date, rule, and recycling tip you need in one place.
The Golden Rule: No Collections on Bank Holidays
There will be no collections on Christmas Day (Thursday), Boxing Day (Friday), or New Year’s Day (Thursday). As a result, all collections will slide forward by a few days.
Revised Collection Calendar
Find your normal collection day on the left to see your revised festive date on the right:
| If your Normal Day is… | Your NEW Collection Day is… |
|---|---|
| Thu 25 Dec (Xmas Day) | Sat 27 Dec |
| Fri 26 Dec (Boxing Day) | Mon 29 Dec |
| Mon 29 Dec | Tue 30 Dec |
| Tue 30 Dec | Wed 31 Dec |
| Wed 31 Dec | Fri 2 Jan |
| Thu 1 Jan (New Year’s) | Sat 3 Jan |
| Fri 2 Jan | Mon 5 Jan |
When do things go back to normal?
The ‘one-day late’ catch-up schedule continues throughout the first week of January. Collections will return to your standard normal day starting from Monday, January 12, 2026.
Garden Waste Suspension
If you subscribe to the green bin service, take a break! The garden waste service will be suspended from Saturday, December 27 to Thursday, January 8 inclusive.
Collections will resume as normal on Friday, January 9.
What About the Christmas Tree?
Once the decorations come down, you have two easy ways to recycle your real Christmas tree:
- Kerbside Collection (Free): The Council will collect real trees from January 9 to January 23, 2026. You do not need a garden waste subscription for this. Simply leave your tree at the edge of your property.
Note: If your tree is over 5ft tall, please cut it in half. Remove all lights and decorations. - Charity Collection: Prefer to do some good while you declutter? Local charities like The Shakespeare Hospice and St Richard’s Hospice are offering doorstep collections in early January for a small donation. Check their websites to book a slot.
Dealing with Extra Rubbish
Christmas generates a lot of waste, but the rules on “side waste” are strict:
- Blue Recycling Bin (Yes): You can put out extra recycling. Place it in a rigid box or container next to your blue-lidded bin. Please flatten cardboard boxes (max size 1m x 1m).
- Grey Refuse Bin (No): The Council will not collect extra black bags left next to your grey bin. Everything must fit inside with the lid closed.
- Batteries & Small Electricals: Place these in a small bag on top of (not inside) your blue or grey bin lid.
Recycle & Raise Money
Using the Council’s app doesn’t just help you remember your dates – it also helps local causes. The Council recently announced that residents using the “Recycling Info” feature on the app helped raise £1,000 for the Chair’s chosen charity, Eco Work-Shop CIC.
To support the next round of fundraising, simply download the Stratford-on-Avon District Council app and use the search tool to check which bin your items go in.
