Changes to bin collections over the festive period

Bin collection days in Lincolnshire will change during the festive period.

Local councils have released their bin collection timetables for Christmas and the New Year.

Waste recycling centres will operate during reduced opening hours.

Councils are offering guidance on how and where to recycle items like Christmas trees, electricals, batteries and wrapping paper.

All seven district councils in Lincolnshire have published changes to their bin collection timetables. The times can be viewed here:

• North Kesteven District Council
• South Kesteven District Council
• City of Lincoln Council
• Boston Borough Council
• West Lindsey District Council
• South Holland District Council
• The collection times for properties in East Lindsey differ for specific properties but can residents can search when their bins will be collected by postcode.

North Kesteven District Council (NKDC) advises breaking down cardboard boxes and squashing plastic bottles to maximise bin space.

No side waste will be collected and must be taken to a tip or held back for future collection, the authority said.

Waste recycling sites will be open as usual over the Christmas period, except for Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year's Day and 2 January.

Recycling sites in Boston, Gainsborough, Lincoln, Market Rasen and Spalding will be open from 08:00 to 16:00 GMT.

Centres in Bourne, Grantham, Louth, Skegness, Sleaford and Tattershall will be open from 09:00 to 16:00.

With the increase in waste over the festive period, residents are being encouraged to check items go in the correct bin.

South Kesteven District councillor Rhys Baker said: "We realise that households get more packages and create more waste and recycling than usual around Christmas.

"While we know our residents like to recycle as much as possible, please remember that not all Christmas cards and wrapping paper can go into the recycling bin."

Cards with glitter should go in the black bin. If wrapping paper cannot be scrunched into a ball, it should also go in the black bin.

NKDC said no electricals or anything with batteries or wires inside can go in any of the bins at home as they pose a fire risk.

They recommended taking these items to the local tip or dropping batteries off at collection points in shops.

If people are unsure which bin something can go in, they can seek advice on their local authority's website.

People can get rid of real Christmas trees by chopping them up and putting them into their brown garden waste bins if they have one.

Real trees can also be taken to local tips or donated to charities like St Barnabas as part of their tree-cycle.

Fake Christmas trees should be given to charity or taken to the tip if they can no longer be used, Lincolnshire County Council said.

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