Bedford Borough Council is reminding residents of the upcoming changes to bin collection schedules for the Christmas period and announcing the availability of the 2025 bin collection calendar.
"The festive season can generate additional waste," says Councillor Jim Weir, Portfolio Holder for Environment at Bedford Borough Council. "We encourage residents to plan ahead by checking the new bin collection dates, recycling and reusing as much as possible, and familiarising themselves with real Christmas tree recycling options."
New bin collection calendar and Online Resources:
- The 2025 bin collection calendar and 2024 Christmas bin collection dates are now available online at www.bedford.gov.uk/bins. Residents are encouraged to bookmark this page for easy access, and to download a printable version for any friends or relatives who are less digitally able.
- The website also details what can go in each bin and provides guidance on how to handle extra recycling during the holidays www.bedford.gov.uk/mybins.
Changes to bin collections for December and January:
- Collections scheduled for Monday 23 December, will be collected on Saturday 21 December.
- Collections scheduled for Tuesday 24 and Wednesday 25 December will be collected one day earlier than usual.
- Collections scheduled between Thursday 26 December and Friday 27 December will be collected one day later than usual.
- Regular bin collection schedules resume for Monday 30 and Tuesday 31 December.
- Collections scheduled between Wednesday 1 January and Friday 3 January, will be collected one day later than usual.
- Regular bin collection schedules will resume on Monday 6 January.
Real Christmas tree recycling:
Residents can drop off their real Christmas trees to be recycled for free at eight designated collection points across Bedford Borough from Monday 30 December, to Wednesday 8 January. Please remove all decorations, pots and containers before dropping off your tree.
Be aware that the Mowsbury Park location is different this year due to the Cleat Hill incident.
Real Christmas tree recycling locations:
- Hillgrounds Road, Kempston, opposite the shops near Hartwell Drive (What3words: ///cares.each.mixer)
- Jubilee Park, Bedford, opposite North Lodge, Canvin Way (What3words: ///dusty.natively.waving)
- Milton Ernest Garden Centre (What3words: ///guard.storage.digests)
- Mowsbury Park car park, Wentworth Drive, Bedford (What3words: ///gentle.poet.trip) - Please note this location is different from previous years.
- Podington Garden Centre (What3words: ///fuels.processor.youth)
- Roxton Garden Centre (What3words: ///sprouted.flop.defaults)
- Seasons Garden Centre (What3words: ///fast.each.hiking)
- Bedford Household Waste Recycling Centre, Barkers Lane, Bedford (What3words: ///grid.rating.fled)
Additional Christmas tree recycling option:
The Sue Ryder charity is also offering a Christmas tree collection service between Thursday 9 and Sunday 12 January in return for an optional donation to the charity. More information and booking details can be found on their website at : www.sueryder.org/get-involved/sue-ryder-christmas-treecycling/bedfordshire/.