Holiday season rubbish collection schedules will be altered across Portsmouth during the Christmas and New Year period, with residents advised to note changed dates for waste, recycling, and food waste pick-ups between 25th December and 3rd January.
The festive period will see standard collection dates adjusted to accommodate bank holidays. Collections scheduled for Christmas Day will take place on Saturday, 27th December instead, whilst Boxing Day collections shift to Monday, 29th December.
Collections originally scheduled for Thursday, 1st January 2026 will be completed on Friday, 2nd January, with Saturday, 3rd January collections brought forward to Friday, 2nd January.
All other dates from Monday, 22nd December through Wednesday, 24th December remain unchanged, as do collections from Monday, 29th December onwards.
Residents who miss their scheduled collection can transport waste to the Port Solent household waste recycling centre, which operates seven days weekly except Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and New Year’s Day. Advanced booking is mandatory for all visits.
Bins and recycling containers should be placed outside by 6am on collection days to ensure pick-up.
Garden waste collections will cease on Friday, 19th December 2025, resuming Monday, 5th January 2026. Bulky waste collections finish Tuesday, 23rd December, returning Tuesday, 13th January 2026.
Christmas cards containing glitter, adhesives, or ribbons belong in general rubbish bins, whilst plain card sections can be recycled.
Wrapping paper featuring glitter, sellotape, or metallic finishes is non-recyclable and requires rubbish bin disposal. Plain paper passing the scrunch test—remaining balled when crushed—qualifies for recycling.
Plastic sweet and chocolate containers can be deposited at designated plastic banks rather than home green bins. Residents unable to access plastic banks should use rubbish bins.
Broken fairy lights should be placed in carrier bags atop recycling bins on collection days for specialist recycling. Those without individual recycling bins can transport electrical waste to Port Solent’s facility.
An online waste checker and interactive recycling bank map are available for uncertain items.
Portsmouth offers complimentary real Christmas tree collections during January, with two designated collection opportunities per household. Trees must be positioned outside properties on specified collection days, which may differ from regular rubbish schedules.
Trees exceeding six feet require halving for crew safety. Alternatively, residents can segment trees for garden waste bins with active subscriptions, purchase Leaf it Out scheme access, or deliver trees to Port Solent’s centre with pre-booked appointments.
Residents are encouraged to plan festive meals using available guides to minimise food waste. Purchasing loose produce reduces packaging whilst proper storage observing date labels prevents unnecessary disposal.
Maintaining fridge temperatures below 5°C and freezing items before use-by dates extends food life. Surplus leftovers can be frozen post-celebrations, whilst spoiled food belongs in caddies for biogas and fertiliser conversion.
All food waste, cooked or raw, is acceptable for caddy disposal.
Collection dates are available through the council’s online portal or by telephoning 023 9284 1105, selecting option four.
