Illustration of Waste truck being pulled by reindeer

Isle of Wight Christmas recycling and waste collections

The festive period is almost upon us, and we’ve got you covered on all things recycling and waste. 

Recycling, waste and garden subscription collections are changing for two weeks over Christmas and the New Year period.  

Usually collected Will be collected on 
Monday 23rd DecemberNo change  
Tuesday 24th December – Christmas EveNo change 
Wednesday 25th December – Christmas DayFriday 27th December 
Thursday 26th December – Boxing DaySaturday 28th December  
Friday 27th December  Sunday 29th December 
Monday 30th December No change 
Tuesday 31st December – New Year’s Eve   No change  
Wednesday 1st January 2025 – New Year’s DayThursday 2nd January 2025
Thursday 2nd January 2025Friday 3rd January 2025
Friday 3rd January 2025 Saturday 4th January 2025

Collections will return to normal from Monday 6th January 2025.

In addition, no bulky waste or free reuse collections will be made on Wednesday 25th December, Thursday 26th December or Wednesday 1st January.  

Polystyrene collection 
We would like to remind residents that we will collect excess polystyrene from households on general (black bin/black reusable sack) waste collection days from Monday 6th January 2025 until Friday 17th January 2025. 

If you have extra polystyrene packaging that won’t fit in your black bin or sack, just place it within a clear or white plastic bag next to your black bin/black gull sack on your collection day.

It must be in a clear or white sack so that the collection crews can easily identify it. The clear bag must only hold polystyrene, or it won’t be collected. Any excess general waste or black sacks left to the side of your bin or gull sack will not be collected. 

After 17th January, please remember that as polystyrene is not currently recyclable it must be placed in your black bin/black reusable sack or taken to Lynnbottom or Afton Marsh Household Waste Recycling Centre and placed in the general rubbish skip. 

Cardboard waste 
If you have lots of cardboard waste, please bundle up and place it separately to the side of your recycling bin/sack on your recycling week collection. 

Batteries 

  • Batteries must always be removed from electrical items before being collected.
  • Place your spent household batteries safely and separately in their own clear sandwich sized bag.
  • Leave the clear bag holding the batteries on top (not inside) of your general waste (black bin/black reusable sack) on your general waste collection week.

Batteries thrown into ordinary bins/sacks, household waste or with other recycling are dangerous.  

Large batteries such as laptop/phone/power tool batteries and car batteries or items where the batteries cannot be removed should be taken to your nearest Household Waste Recycling Centre. 

Real Christmas tree collection 
If you have an active Garden Waste Subscription, you can also dispose of real Christmas trees as part of the service.

The tree should be clear of all decorations and pots and can be left to the side of your garden bin on your collection day between Monday 6th January and Friday 17th January 2025. 

Household Waste and Recycling Centres (HWRCs) 
Lynnbottom and Afton Marsh Household Waste and Recycling Centres will be closed on Christmas DayOther than this, normal opening hours apply. 

Book your visit in advance or choose a same day booking by visiting the Isle of Wight Council’s website or by calling (01983) 823777. 

More information on waste and recycling can be found at www.iow.gov.uk/waste 


News shared by Isle of Wight council press office, in their own words. Ed