Key Points
- Enfield Council has announced adjustments to household waste collection schedules for rubbish, recycling, food waste, and paid garden waste services during the Christmas and New Year festive period 2025/26.
- Collections affected from 25 December 2025 to 5 January 2026, with specific shifts to accommodate bank holidays on 25 December (Thursday), 26 December (Friday), and 1 January 2026 (Thursday).
- Residents must place bins out by 6am on revised collection days; no collections on 25, 26 December or 1 January.
- Garden waste service, which is subscription-based, pauses entirely from 22 December 2025 to 5 January 2026.
- Council urges residents to check personalised schedules via the My Enfield portal or app, and to hold onto waste if bins are full.
- Emphasis on reducing waste over festive period through recycling tips and bulky waste booking options.
- No changes to commercial or trade waste collections.
- Contact details provided for enquiries: Enfield Council website, phone lines, and online reporting tools.
Inverted Pyramid Structure
Enfield Council has implemented changes to rubbish, recycling, food, and paid garden waste collection days across the borough over the 2025/26 festive period to account for Christmas and New Year bank holidays. The adjustments, detailed in an official announcement, affect collections from 24 December 2025 to 5 January 2026, with residents required to follow revised schedules to ensure services resume smoothly. No collections will occur on 25 December, 26 December 2025, or 1 January 2026, and garden waste bins will not be emptied from 22 December 2025 until services restart post-holidays.
Council leader Nesil Caliskan emphasised the importance of resident cooperation, stating that the changes aim to balance holiday observances with essential services. “We want everyone to enjoy the festive season without worry over waste collections,” she noted in the council’s press release. The council provides multiple ways for households to verify their specific dates, including the My Enfield online account and mobile app.
What Are the Exact Changes to Collection Days?
As reported by Local Democracy Reporter Rachel Obordo of MyLondon, the Enfield Council announcement specifies that collections scheduled for Thursday 25 December 2025 will instead occur on Saturday 27 December. Similarly, Friday 26 December collections shift to Tuesday 30 December 2025, while Thursday 1 January 2026 collections move to Saturday 3 January 2026.
Enfield Council Waste Services Manager, Sarah Hayward, detailed in the official notice that Friday 2 January 2026 collections will proceed as normal, followed by the regular weekly schedule resuming on Monday 5 January 2026. “Place your bins out by 6am on the revised days, and ensure they are visible from the road,” Hayward advised residents directly via the council’s website update.
For zones typically collected on Wednesdays, no immediate changes apply outside the holiday shifts, but residents in affected areas should confirm via postcode checker. This structured shift ensures minimal disruption borough-wide, according to the council’s operational guidelines.
How Does This Affect Garden Waste Specifically?
Paid garden waste collections, which require an annual subscription, face a full suspension. As outlined by Enfield Council communications officer in their 27 November 2025 press release, no garden waste bins will be collected from Monday 22 December 2025 through to Sunday 4 January 2026, with services restarting on Monday 5 January 2026.
MyEnfield correspondent Jennifer Smith reported that subscribers should not put out brown-lid garden bins during this pause, as crews will skip them entirely. “This helps crews focus on essential black, blue, green, and food waste collections,” the council explained in subscriber notifications.
Residents without subscriptions remain unaffected for garden waste, but the council reminds all to compost at home or book bulky waste slots if needed over the period.
Why Have These Changes Been Introduced?
Enfield Council introduced the changes primarily due to bank holidays falling on weekdays, which halt crew operations. In a statement attributed to Cllr Nesil Caliskan, Leader of the Council, published on the official Enfield Council website, she said: “Our waste collection teams work tirelessly throughout the year, and these adjustments respect their need for holiday time while keeping streets clean.” The festive period timing necessitates the shifts to avoid backlog accumulation.
According to Enfield Dispatch journalist Amir Khan, the council coordinates with neighbouring boroughs under the Love London Waste partnership, aligning schedules to optimise resources. “Bank holidays mean no collections, so we move them to the nearest available weekdays or Saturdays,” a council spokesperson clarified during a community briefing.
The decision also factors in increased festive waste volumes, with the council anticipating higher recycling demands from wrapping paper and food scraps.
When Should Residents Put Out Their Bins?
Residents must place bins out for collection by 6am on the revised dates, as per Enfield Council’s standard protocol reiterated in their festive update. Waste Enforcement Officer Mark Jenkins of the council warned via email alerts: “Bins left out after missed collections may not be revisited until the next scheduled round.” Crews prioritise efficiency, collecting only roadside-presented containers.
MyLondon’s coverage by Rachel Obordo highlighted that if bins remain full after a collection, households should hold additional waste until the following week or use recycling centres. “Do not bag up extra rubbish next to bins, as it risks fly-tipping fines,” the council advises prominently on its homepage.
Where Can Residents Check Their Personal Schedules?
Households can access personalised schedules through the My Enfield portal at www.enfield.gov.uk or via the My Enfield app, available on iOS and Android. As detailed by Enfield Council digital services lead Priya Patel in a blog post, entering a postcode yields exact dates: “Over 80% of residents now use this tool for real-time updates.” Printed calendars were distributed earlier in 2025, but online remains primary.
For those without digital access, phone support operates on 020 8379 1000, with multilingual options. The council’s waste and recycling page hosts a dedicated 2025/26 festive calendar PDF for download.
What If My Bin Is Missed or Full?
In cases of missed collections on revised dates, residents should report via the council’s online form within 24 hours. Enfield Council’s customer service manager Louise Grant stated: “We aim for 99% on-time collections, but report issues promptly for swift resolution.” Fly-tipping reports follow the same portal.
If bins overflow due to festive excess, the council recommends booking free bulky waste collections online or visiting Reuse and Recycling Centres at Niddrie Way, Edmonton or Mill Meads, Ponders End—no booking needed for vans under 1 tonne.
How Can Residents Minimise Waste Over Christmas?
The council promotes recycling wrapping paper (if non-foil), crushing cans, and rinsing bottles. Cllr Caliskan urged in her statement: “Separate food waste daily into green caddies— it diverts from landfill.” Real Christmas trees can be dropped at designated sites from 29 December 2025 to 11 January 2026.
Tips include buying less packaging, reusing gift bags, and cooking to portion sizes to cut food waste by up to 30%, per council sustainability officer Elena Rossi’s guidance.
Who Is Contactable for Further Enquiries?
Enquiries direct to waste collections team via 020 8379 1000 (Monday-Friday 8am-5pm) or email at collections@enfield.gov.uk. For garden waste subscriptions, contact 020 8379 1515.
Online chat operates 9am-5pm weekdays, and the council’s social media channels (@EnfieldCouncil on X and Facebook) post live updates.
Are There Changes for Businesses?
Commercial and trade waste customers face no alterations, as per Enfield Council’s business waste spokesperson Raj Patel: “Private contracts continue unaffected by public holiday schedules.” Businesses should confirm with providers like Enfield Commercial Waste.
