Christmas and New Year council services in Central Beds: what you need to know
Christmas is a busy time with Central Beds Council issuing a reminder of services available over the festive period including bin collections and tree recycling.
Christmas and New Year bin collections
The day we collect your bin will change over the Christmas and New Year period, to accommodate bank holidays and the festivities.
To help you prepare for these changes, you can find your rearranged collection days on our website.
Household waste recycling centres
Our recycling centres (also known as tidy tips) are open 7 days a week, from 9am to 5pm - with some changes to opening hours over the Christmas and New Year period.
Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve: 9am – 1pm
Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and New Year’s Day: Closed
Book a slot at the recycling centre
Real Christmas tree recycling
Real Christmas trees will be collected for recycling from Monday, 5 January to Friday, 16 January.
To have your real tree collected – place the tree next to your recycling bin on your normal collection day
ensure it is not in a bag or bin
remove any decorations and lights - and no artificial trees
Please also ensure that it is under six ft (183cm) with a trunk no wider than three inches (8cm)
Please note that no other garden waste will be collected at this time.
Missed Christmas tree collection
If your Christmas tree collection has been missed, you must report it within two working days of your scheduled collection date using the form on our website.
As long as the report is submitted within 2 working days, we will arrange to collect your tree.
Get more information here
Mental health and domestic abuse support
Christmas can be tough for some, but support is available if you need it.
If you are struggling this festive period remember you are not alone. Volunteers from the Samaritans will be on duty throughout the Christmas and New Year period to support those in distress or in a crisis, or who need to talk to someone. You do not need to be suicidal to contact them. Call 116 123 or email [email protected]
Support for young people is available through Everything OK, which is designed to help them find the support they need when they’ve got questions about thoughts or feelings. For when they are wondering if everything really is ok, or not.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic abuse, help is available:
National Domestic Abuse Helpline: 0808 2000 247
Men’s Advice Line for men experiencing domestic abuse: 0808 8010327
LGBT+ Domestic Abuse Helpline: 0800 999 5428
There’s more information about support available on the Bedfordshire Domestic Abuse Partnership website.
Customer services opening hours
Customer services will be closed on 25 December, 26 December, 1 January.
Here is a list of emergency contact numbers to call when we are closed.
Leisure centre opening hours
Please check with your local leisure for opening hours over the Christmas period.
Library opening hours
View the library's opening hours on their website.