PEOPLE across the county will need to remember to put their bins out on different days, as the household waste collection changes over Christmas time.

There will be no collections on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day, but catch-up collections will run on December 28, January 4 and 11.

Garden waste collections will stop for two weeks. All collections, including garden waste, return to normal from January 13.

Household recycling centres will close from 1pm on Christmas Eve, reopening on Friday, December 27, closing on New Year’s Day.

Cabinet member for waste Bridget Wayman said: “The Christmas and New Year period is a very busy time for our collections team, with lots more waste and recycling to collect than normal.

“The team will work tirelessly to collect all the recycling and waste generated and to get collections back to their normal schedule by January 13.

“We want everyone to recycle as much as they can this Christmas; wrapping paper which scrunches into a ball and doesn’t bounce back, cardboard packaging, plastic sweet tubs, mince pie foil cases, drink cans, glass bottles and Christmas cards without glitter or plastic decorations can all be recycled.

“Local charity shops will be happy to receive donations of any unwanted Christmas presents.

“Additional recyclable material such as glass, cans, and paper can be placed in carrier bags alongside your black box (one material per bag helps the collection crews when out on their rounds at this busy time).”

The council has also advised you to flatten cardboard and wash and squash plastic bottles and cartons and put their lids back on as this will help make more room in your blue-lidded bin.

People who pay to have their garden waste collected can put their real Christmas tree out alongside their garden waste bin on their first collection day in January so that we can collect it for composting, or they can support local charities by paying a small donation for a charity to collect.

This can be done via the Just Helping scheme at charityxmastreecollection.com/

For information about recycling centres opening times, recycling Christmas trees, collection days and advice visit wiltshire.gov.uk/rubbish-and-recycling