Council kerbside Christmas tree collections return for 2026

Forest of Dean District Council has confirmed that real Christmas trees will be collected for all households - including those without a current garden waste licence – on their scheduled garden waste collection day between Monday 12 and Friday 23 January 2026. Trees will be shredded and composted locally at Rose Hill Farm in Dymock.

Councillor Andy Moore, Cabinet Member responsible for waste and recycling at Forest of Dean District Council, said:

“The Council has collected real trees for over 15 years now and we know residents really value the convenience this service offers. We’re pleased to continue the tradition for 2026.

“However, with so much waste created during the Christmas period, we encourage residents to consider more sustainable options for disposing of trees. Trees with root balls are best re-potted for use in future years, while cut trees can be home-composted with a little effort. They can also be shredded for mulch, stacked to create habitats for insects, or simply left in the garden to provide shelter for birds, small mammals and insects during the winter months.”

Crews will collect any real Christmas tree placed at the kerbside – even from homes without a garden waste licence – if it is presented on the household’s scheduled garden waste collection day during the collection window that starts on Monday 12 January.

Residents can simply place their tree at the kerbside for collection. To help crews, trees must be cut into sections no longer than 1.3 metres, and all decorations, lights and stands must be removed.

Real Christmas trees, along with excess recycling and refuse, can also be taken to the Household Recycling Centres (HRCs) at Oak Quarry (Broadwell) and Hempsted (Gloucester). The HRCs, currently operating winter opening hours (10.00am to 4.00pm daily), will be closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day.

Residents wishing to visit an HRC must book in advance via the Gloucestershire Recycles website - https://www.gloucestershirerecycles.com/household-recycling-centres-hrcs/

Bring banks located across the district can also be used to dispose of excess recycling. Locations are listed on the District Council’s website at https://www.fdean.gov.uk/recyclingsites

The District Council’s garden waste service will be suspended from Thursday 25 December to Friday 9 January, allowing vehicles and crews to support the refuse and recycling service during the busy festive period. This service will resume on Monday 12 January.

Details of all waste and recycling changes over Christmas and New Year can be found on the District Council’s website at https://www.fdean.gov.uk/bins

Christmas is the time of year when more waste is produced than at any other, and the Council is reminding residents how they can reduce waste and make the most of kerbside recycling.

Food waste can be reduced by planning meals carefully, storing food correctly and getting creative with leftovers. Any food that can’t be used should be placed in the food waste bin. This waste is taken to Severn Trent Power in Bishops Cleeve, where it is transformed into renewable electricity and fertiliser to enrich the soil.

Most packaging and wrapping can be recycled rather than thrown away. All plastic packaging is now collected as part of the weekly recycling service, with the exception of hard plastics and soft plastics such as carrier bags. Wrapping paper can be recycled provided it is not foil-based or glittery, and any plastic tape should be removed first. Clean cans and tin foil from the kitchen can also be recycled.