Seasonal information

Frozen bins

In some areas freezing temperatures may cause green waste to stick to the inside of waste bins. Crew members will try their best to remove this, however, should material not come out, crews will leave a tag explaining that they have tried to empty the bin. We are unable to return in these circumstances but will attempt to empty the bin again on the next scheduled collection.

Actions you can take to reduce the chances of your bins freezing include:

  • putting the bin in a sunny place or close to a wall (or if possible, storing it in a garage or shed), and then putting it out on the morning of collection before 7am
  • wrapping food waste in newspaper or brown paper packaging
  • putting a piece of cardboard at the bottom of the bin (please only do this when a chilly period is forecast as normally cardboard should go in the blue lidded bin)

We do not advise residents to lean into bins to loosen material as this may result in accidents occurring. 

Severe weather

Please help to minimise potential disruption to waste collections in severe weather by: 

  • where possible do not put bins and bags out until the morning of collection, although they must be available by 7am
  • where possible leave bins and bags in a sheltered position, although they must still be visible from the road and on the property boundary
  • avoid overfilling bins and tie the tops of rubbish bags to reduce the risk of litter
  • recover bins as soon as possible after they have been emptied to reduce the risk of them being blown around

Thank you for your assistance. Please be aware that collections may be run later than normal because of difficult conditions.

Real Christmas trees

Real Christmas trees can be recycled alongside your green lidded bin throughout January. Please ensure that you:

  • remove all decorations 
  • remove as many branches as possible, cut into manageable pieces and place loosely inside your bin, so it can be emptied without the branches getting stuck
  • cut the trunk into pieces, no wider than 6 inches/15cm diameter or higher than your wheeled bin and leave out alongside your food and garden waste bin on your next scheduled collection date

Unfortunately, artificial trees cannot be recycled but can be re-used by donating them to charities and care homes, or can be taken to your local household waste recycling centre, if no longer needed. 

Christmas recycling

Christmas is a busy time for our waste and recycling crews. You can help us maintain an efficient collection service by flattening boxes and squashing plastic bottles and pots to make room for more recycling. You can find recycling points at recycling locator. 

There is also more food waste over the festive season. We’d like residents to consider wasting less food, please visit the Love Food Hate Waste website. 

Please ensure that you re-use where possible before disposing.

For further information, please email waste@eastcambs.gov.uk