Camden Council confirms everyone affected by Christmas and New Year bin collection changes

The council does not run a collection service on bank holidays, meaning no bin bags or recycling should be placed outside until after the normal collection days.

Collections will return to normal from Monday 5 January 2026. Residents can order free extra recycling bags for the festive season at camden.gov.uk/order-bins or by calling 020 3567 8105.

Usual collection day - Revised collection day

Thursday 25 December 2025 - Saturday 27 December 2025

Friday 26 December 2025 - Sunday 28 December 2025

Thursday 1 January 2026 - Friday 2 January 2026

Friday 2 January 2026 - Saturday 3 January 2026

Real christmas tree collections

Christmas trees can be recycled at recycling points across Camden, which will be open between 2 to 11 January 2026. The council has reminded residents to remove any decorations from the tree before disposal.

Camden residents can use the council’s maps to find out where their nearest tree recycling point is. The local authority has warned people not to leave any unsold Christmas trees or commercial waste at any site, or to illegally dump their trees on the street – else they risk a fly-tipping fine of up to £1000.

Like last year, the City of London are not collecting Christmas trees on Hampstead Heath again this year. Trees must not be left on the streets of Camden or at the boundary of the park.

If your usual Christmas tree recycling point at or near Hampstead Heath was:

• East Heath Road Car Park: the nearest alternative sites are at Netherhall Gardens (at the end) or Highgate Enclosures (in between Lissenden Gardens and Glenhurst Avenue)
• Jack Straw’s Castle Car Park: the nearest alternative sites are at Netherhall Gardens (at the end) or Fortune Green Road Open Space (at the bottom)
• Millfield Lane (at the Men’s Pond gate): the nearest alternative sites are at Highgate Enclosures (in between Lissenden Gardens and Glenhurst Avenue) or Regis Road Reuse and Recycling Centre.

Camden Gardens will also once more not have any recycling points this year. Residents are asked to use the nearby sites at Camden Garden Centre or Talacre Gardens (inside the gate on the middle of Talacre road).

Trees can also be collected:

• Through the council’s garden waste subscription service, if the tree is cut to fit inside garden waste bin or bags
• Through the council’s bulky waste (large item) collection service, though charges may apply

Alternatively, Camden residents can take their decoration-free trees to Regis Road Reuse and Recycling Centre.

The council has suggested that residents who have the space can buy a living tree in a pot that they can plant in their garden or keep for Christmas 2026.

The North London Waste Authority’s website also provides more ways to save money and reduce waste at Christmas.