Merry Binmas - Leeds bin collection dates to change during the festive period

Festive bin collection dates in Leeds are set to change over the Christmas and New Year period.

Bin collections will continue as usual up until and including 21 December. For the two weeks after that, between 22 December 2019 and 5 January 2020, bins will be emptied either a day earlier or later than expected, with the exception of Monday 30 and Tuesday 31 December – when bins will be emptied on the usual scheduled day. The service will return to the normal schedule from 6 January.

Leeds residents are reminded to put their bin out in time for the correct collection day and bring it in again as soon as possible after it has been emptied. From 9 December, Leeds City Council will send leaflets to all Leeds households to highlight the changes to bin collection over Christmas and the New Year. The leaflet will also provide a timely reminder of what can be put in the green recycling bin.

Any additional waste, recycling or reusable items can also be taken to recycling centres across Leeds which are open seven days a week throughout the festive period from 8am to 4pm. They will only close on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day.

Leeds City Council collected an extra 330 tonnes of waste and recycling from black and green bins combined during the festive period last year, which is the equivalent weight of over 25 double decker buses.

Councillor Mohammed Rafique, Leeds City Council’s Executive Member for Environment and Active Lifestyles, said:

“Christmas is a really busy period and we want to make sure people in Leeds are aware of their bin collection dates and what they can put in their green recycling bin. We are very excited that Leeds residents can recycle even more plastics over this festive period, such as pots, trays, tubs, cartons and tetra packs.”

During the festive period, people in Leeds can find more useful information and tips about recycling at www.leeds.gov.uk/xmasbins and by following “Leeds Recycles” on Facebook and Twitter. You can also take any packaging you can’t fit in your green bin to one of the eight recycling centres across the city, all of which are open Sundays too.

Leeds residents can also support St Gemma’s Hospice by recycling their Christmas trees in exchange for a donation. The hospice will collect Christmas Trees between 7-11 January 2020 from the following postcodes: LS6, LS7, LS8, LS14, LS15, LS16, LS17, LS18, LS28. Collections can be arranged at https://events.st-gemma.co.uk/events/christmas-tree-collection/ via the Christmas Tree Collections page.

To check bin collection dates at any time of year, visit www.leeds.gov.uk/mybinday or download the Leeds Bins app from Google Play or Apple Store to receive handy reminders direct to your mobile phone.

ENDS

Notes to editors:

Why change the collection dates?

The refuse service closes on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year Day. The changes in collection days, combined with operating two special Sunday collection days, means we can make sure everyone still gets a collection rather than some having to wait until the next scheduled one.

Reuse and recycling over the festive period

Find out what to do with your used Christmas cards, trees, wrapping paper and a whole feast of other things at www.leeds.gov.uk/recycle.

Leeds.gov.uk has a list of local charities seeking donations of unwanted gifts and household items year round. Find out more at www.leeds.gov.uk/unwanteditems.

Information about recycling in Leeds

To find out more information about how to use your green bin, visit www.leeds.gov.uk/greenbin.

To help Leeds residents reduce household waste and better use their green recycling bins, the Leeds City Council waste service offers tips on social media. Follow ‘Leeds Recycles’ on Twitter or Facebook for more details.

For media enquiries please contact:

Leeds City Council press office: 0113 378 6007

Email: communicationsteam@leeds.gov.uk