Merton Christmas and New Year Bin Collection Changes 2025/26

• Recycling and waste collections in Merton change over Christmas and New Year from Thursday 25 December 2025 to Saturday 10 January 2026; put bins out by 6am on revised days.
• Thursday 25 Dec → Saturday 27 Dec (2 days later); Friday 26 Dec → Monday 29 Dec (3 days later); Monday 29 Dec → Tuesday 30 Dec (1 day later).
• Tuesday 30 Dec → Wednesday 31 Dec (1 day later); Wednesday 31 Dec → Friday 2 Jan 2026 (2 days later); Thursday 1 Jan → Saturday 3 Jan (2 days later).
• Friday 2 Jan → Monday 5 Jan (3 days later); Monday 5 Jan → Tuesday 6 Jan (1 day later); Tuesday 6 Jan → Wednesday 7 Jan (1 day later).
• Wednesday 7 Jan → Thursday 8 Jan (1 day later); Thursday 8 Jan → Friday 9 Jan (1 day later); Friday 9 Jan → Saturday 10 Jan (1 day later).
• Collections return to normal from Monday 12 January 2026.​
• Free kerbside Christmas tree collection from Tuesday 6 January 2026: remove decorations, place at property boundary by 6am; also garden waste bin (chopped), Garth Road centre, or home composting.​
• Garth Road Household Reuse and Recycling Centre: 8am-4pm daily except Christmas Eve (8am-12noon), Christmas Day/ Boxing Day/ New Year’s Day closed; advance booking required.​
• Flats above shops receive separate written schedules.​
• As reported by Merton Council news.merton.gov.uk on 9 December 2025 in “2025/26 Christmas Waste and Recycling Collection Changes”: Festive period busiest for waste; check collection days tool.​
• Joint Waste Solutions confirms identical table, garden waste tree recycling (chopped branches); digital guide available.​
• Merton Council Instagram reel (16 Dec 2025): Bins normal 24 Dec; trees from 6 Jan; bookmark guide.​
• Facebook post: No collections Christmas/ Boxing/ New Year’s Day; catch-ups from 27 Dec.​

Merton Council Announces Bin Collection Changes for Christmas and New Year 2025/26 Amid Festive Waste Surge

Merton residents face revised bin collection schedules from 25 December 2025 through 10 January 2026, as crews take holiday breaks during the busiest waste period. Bins must sit out by 6am on new dates, with no services on Christmas Day, Boxing Day, or New Year’s Day. Christmas trees qualify for free kerbside pickup starting 6 January, while Garth Road recycling centre adjusts hours with closures on key holidays.

Authorities urge checking personalised calendars to avoid missed pickups, emphasising preparation for extra festive rubbish.

What Are the Exact Bin Collection Changes in Merton?

Collections shift as follows, per official tables. **As detailed by Merton Council in “2025/26 Christmas Waste and Recycling Collection Changes” on news.merton.gov.uk **:​

Normal service resumes Monday 12 January 2026.​

How Do Residents Prepare Bins for Revised Dates?

Place bins at property edge by 6am. Joint Waste Solutions on jointwastesolutions.org (17 Dec 2025) in “Christmas collection dates 2025/26” stated: “Between 25 December 2025 and 10 January 2026, the day your waste is collected will temporarily change”.​

Rubbish/recycling patterns unaffected beyond days.

What Happens for Flats Above Shops in Merton?

Separate schedules apply. Merton Council specified: “If you live in a flat above a shop, your collection schedule will be different. You’ll receive written details directly”.​

Check posted notices or contact council.

When and How Can Christmas Trees Be Disposed Of?

Free kerbside from Tuesday 6 January 2026. **Per Merton Council **: “Put your tree out by 6am on Tuesday 6 January 2026… Remove all decorations… Place it at the front boundary… without blocking the pavement.”​

Alternatives: Garth Road (garden waste container, book ahead); garden waste bin (cut up); home compost or wildlife shelter.

Instagram reel by merton_council (16 Dec 2025): “Christmas tree collections start 6 January 2026, remove decorations and place your tree by your property”.​

What Are Garth Road Centre’s Holiday Hours?

Open 8am-4pm daily, exceptions: **Merton Council detailed **:​

• Christmas Eve: 8am-12noon
• Christmas Day: Closed
• Boxing Day: Closed
• New Year’s Day: Closed

Advance booking essential via website.

Why Do These Changes Occur Over Festive Periods?

Crew holidays during peak waste. Merton Council explained: “The festive season is one of the busiest times of the year for waste and recycling”.​

Catch-up collections prevent backlog.

Where Can Residents Find Their Personal Collection Calendar?

Online tool: “Collection days for rubbish, recycling and garden waste”. Digital guide from Joint Waste; printed copies at council offices post-New Year.​

How Does This Affect Garden Waste Subscribers?

Trees in bins (chopped). Joint Waste Solutions advised: “Garden waste subscribers can recycle Christmas trees… chop branches into smaller pieces and place in your garden waste bin”.​

What If a Bin Is Missed During Changes?

Report via service update page. Follow Merton on X/Facebook.​

Facebook post by mertoncouncil: “Planning for the festive season? Don’t forget to check your bin collection days… catch up collections will run from Friday 27 December”.​

Are There Broader South London Similarities?

Yes, South London Press notes no collections on holidays, aligning with Merton.​

When Do Collections Fully Normalise?

Monday 12 January 2026.​

How to Stay Updated on Changes?

Bookmark Merton guide; check apps. Instagram urged: “Feel free to bookmark this… Link in bio”.