Changes to bin collections and recycling in Buckinghamshire have been announced for Christmas and New Year.

Buckinghamshire Council said bin collections will be operating on the following revised schedule during the festive period:

Normal day – Revised day

Monday, December 25 (Christmas Day, Normal) – Wednesday,  December 27 2023 (Revised)

Tuesday, December 26 (Boxing Day ) – Thursday, December 28

Wednesday,  December 27 – Friday, December 29

Thursday, December 28- Saturday, December 30

Friday,  December 29 – Tuesday, January 2

Monday, January 1 2024 (New Year Bank Holiday) – Wednesday, January 3, 2024

Tuesday, January 2 – Thursday, January 4

Wednesday, January 3 – Friday, January 5

Thursday, January 4 – Saturday, January 6

Friday, January 5- Monday, January 8

Monday, January 8- Tuesday, January 9

Tuesday, January 9 – Wednesday, January 10

Wednesday, January 10 – Thursday, January 11

Thursday, January 11- Friday,  January 12

Friday, January 12 – Saturday, January 13

Meanwhile, garden waste collections are suspended for six weeks between Monday, December 11 and Sunday, January 21 (inclusive).

The council said collections will resume from Monday, January 22.

Household recycling centres will be closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day, but will otherwise operate normally (from 9am-4pm).

READ MORE: Household recycling centres to accept DIY waste for free

The council has also encouraged residents to continue recycling during the festive period, when the amount of waste produced rises by 30 per cent.

It said that Christmas cards, crackers without snaps, paper hats, non-glittery wrapping paper and chocolate boxes can all be recycled.

Homes with too much recycling can take waste to a household recycling centre or can leave it for collection crews if they are unable to make the trip.

Christmas trees can be taken to household recycling centres or can be disposed of with the council’s garden waste collection service, which resumes on Monday, January 22.

The council advises people to remove any decorations from the tree, before cutting it into smaller pieces and putting it in the garden waste bin.

Gareth Williams, Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Environment said: “There are lots of ways we can all make an effort to be greener at this time of year and every small thing that we do makes a difference.

“From being creative with your leftover food to donating unwanted gifts and recycling Christmas cards and wrapping paper, there are some great and cost-effective ways to be environmentally friendly over Christmas so be sure to give it a go.”