Recycling, rubbish and street cleaning

We provide households in the District with a comprehensive multi-material recycling service, working together with our partner Veolia.

Our aim is to make it as easy as possible to recycle and cut down waste. Achieving this means we can reduce our impact on the environment.

We also help keep our streets and public spaces clean, safe, tidy and attractive – making sure that the district continues to be a great place to live in, work and visit.

View information on rubbish and recycling including about bins and collection days, what to do with specific waste items and how to report street cleanliness issues.

Waste collection delays

We are aware that you may be experiencing some delays across our waste collection services and apologise for the inconvenience.

Please click on the service delays button below to see where collections have been delayed/missed.

Service Delays

Garden Waste collections

Please make sure the contents of your garden waste bin is loosened to help the collection team in the freezing weather and ensure they are able to empty your bin completely. We are not able to return to collect compacted garden waste or empty frozen bins.

There is a break in the Garden Waste service for two weeks from 25 December 2024. The service will re-commence on the 9 January 2025.

REVISED CHRISTMAS COLLECTION DAYS

Normal Collection Day	Revised Collection Day
Monday 23 December	Monday 23 December
Tuesday 24 December	Tuesday 24 December
Wednesday 25 December	Friday 27 December
Thursday 26 December	Saturday 28 December
Friday 27 December	Monday 30 December
Monday 30 December	Tuesday 31 December
Tuesday 31 December	Thursday 2 January 2025
Wednesday 1 January 2025	Friday 3 January
Thursday 2 January	Saturday 4 January
Friday 3 January	Monday 6 January
Monday 6 January	Tuesday 7 January
Tuesday 7 January	Wednesday 8 January
Wednesday 8 January	Thursday 9 January
Thursday 9 January	Friday 10 January
Friday 10 January	Saturday 11 January

Christmas tree disposal

Christmas trees will be collected from garden waste subscribers only. Trees can be put into garden waste bins, or left beside them, on scheduled garden waste collections days from 9 January onwards. Please remove decorations and if your tree if over 7ft, please cut in half.

Non garden waste subscribers can take trees to their local household waste recycling centre. Alternatively, residents in parts of St Albans and Harpenden can register for a charity Christmas tree collection service.

The limited service is being run by the Hospice of St Francis on a first come, first served basis. Those who take advantage of it are asked to make a donation to the charity.

Once registered, residents can leave their real Christmas tree outside the front of their property on the evening of Friday 3 January, for collection on Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 January.

To register, you will need to be within the AL1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 postcodes and log your details at: https://www.stfrancis.org.uk/events/fundraising/christmas-tree-collections Registration is open now.

Recycling, rubbish and street cleaning

Waste collection delays

Garden Waste collections

Please make sure the contents of your garden waste bin is loosened to help the collection team in the freezing weather and ensure they are able to empty your bin completely. We are not able to return to collect compacted garden waste or empty frozen bins.

Rubbish collections

About my bins

Report a missed bin collection Opens in new window

Clinical waste collection (including sharps)

Report fly tipping

Report graffiti or a street cleaning issue Opens in new window

Reducing my waste

A-Z of what to do with my waste Opens in new window

Local recycling

Bulky items collection

Street cleaning

Frequently Asked Questions

Garden waste subscription service

Litter