Millions of households hit by changes to rubbish bin collections this month

The Sun

06-05-2025

MILLIONS of households are set to face major shake-ups to their rubbish collections this month – and it could cause a mess.
With two bank holiday weekends falling in May, many local councils are shifting their usual waste pick-up days, leaving Brits scrambling to check when to put their bins out.
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Monday's Early May bank holiday has already sparked changes to bin collections in some areas.
For instance, in Hillingdon, every collection this week has been delayed by a day – meaning if your usual pick-up is on Tuesday, it's now happening on Wednesday instead.
Most councils don't operate waste collections on bank holidays and, like Hillingdon, many adjust their schedules to catch up during the week.
However, the rules vary from one area to another, so it's crucial to check your local council's website to avoid missing your collection day.
You can find your local council's site by visiting gov.uk/find-local-council.
With another bank holiday just around the corner on Monday, 29 May, similar disruptions are expected.
So make a note now to steer clear of any unexpected rubbish pile-ups.
Check your bin collection date
IF you're unsure when to put your bins out, don't panic.
Most councils have already published their updated collection schedules online, with many also sharing helpful reminders on social media.
To find the correct bin collection dates for your area, simply visit your local council's website and enter your postcode.
If you're still uncertain, give them a call to confirm and avoid any confusion.
Will bin days change again this year?
Yes, May isn't the only time of year when bin collection schedules are disrupted.
Changes often occur during other major holidays, such as Christmas, New Year's Day, and Easter.
It's uncommon for collections to happen on these dates, so councils typically introduce temporary timetables to accommodate the holidays.
Even the August bank holiday can lead to adjustments in some areas, so it's always worth keeping an eye on your local council's updates.
Can I get fined for putting my bin out at the wrong time?
It's not just missed bin collections you need to worry about – you could also be hit with a fine if you break the rules surrounding wheelie bins
Under Section 46A of the Environmental Protection Act 1990, councils have the power to issue fines of up to £80 if your bin is deemed to cause a nuisance.
This could include leaving it out for too long, blocking the pavement, or placing it in a way that obstructs your neighbours.
You could also get into trouble for leaving rubbish out in a way that attracts pests like rats or foxes.
However, fines aren't set in stone – you can challenge them if you have a valid reason.
Councils are also prohibited from penalising you for genuine mistakes, like mixing up your recycling or putting your bin out a few hours earlier than usual.
Councils planning to reduce bin collections?
More than one in ten UK councils are mulling over plans to cut back bin collections, leaving millions facing fewer pick-ups and piles of rubbish.
A bombshell report from the TaxPayers' Alliance revealed that 42 local authorities are considering slashing waste services in a desperate bid to balance the books.
If all the proposals go ahead, more than eight million people could see changes to when and how often their bins are emptied.
Some councils, like those in Carmarthenshire and East Ayrshire, are even weighing up monthly rubbish collections, sparking fears of stinking bins, pests and overflowing waste.
Others, including North Ayrshire, Dundee, and Angus, are looking at cutting recycling collections to once a month.
Meanwhile, 13 councils are planning to stretch their general waste collections from fortnightly to every three weeks, including East Hertfordshire, where bosses are also plotting to shrink bin sizes from 240L to 180L.
Under previous Tory rules, councils had to collect general waste at least every two weeks to avoid public health risks from rotting rubbish.
But new government guidance issued by DEFRA in November scrapped that requirement saying town halls should now set their own schedules based on local needs and value for money.
From 2026, councils will also be told to standardise bin types under a major shake-up of household waste rules.
As revealed by The Sun, Brits will be limited to just four bins or bags: one for non-recyclables, one for food and garden waste, one for paper and card, and one for other recyclables like plastics, glass and metals.
The shake-up aims to clear up the confusion caused by the Environment Act 2021, which led to some homes being handed up to seven different bins.
Ministers are now hoping a simpler, more consistent system will help boost recycling rates across the country.
What is a hack for making changing the bin easier?
THERE is in fact a way to make your rubbish-collecting chores far simpler - and it involves using multiple bags.
Want in on the time-saving trick? Here's what you need to do.
Step 1
Take out a fresh bin liner and open it up - but don't put it in your bin yet.
Step 2
Take a second bin bag, place it inside the first bag and open it up - so that they're nestled inside each other.
Continue to do this until 10 bags are neatly inside.
Step 3
Carefully place the entire bin bag fusion inside your bin before folding the tops over the lip.
The next time you fill a bag, simply lift it up out of the bin and another one will be good to go straight away.
There you go! You'll never change your bin in the same way again.