Most councils operate reduced services on public bank holidays, meaning bin lorries don't run on the holiday itself. If your normal collection day falls on a bank holiday, your council will usually move it — either one day earlier or one day later that week.
The most common approach across UK councils is a one-day delay: if your bin day is Monday and Monday is a bank holiday, your collection moves to Tuesday. Every collection that week shifts by one day. However, not every council follows this rule — some collect a day earlier, some don't change at all for certain holidays.
The safest approach is always to check with your specific council or use WhenBin to see your live, updated collection dates.
| Bank Holiday | Date | Day | Likely impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Year's Day | 1 January 2026 | Thursday | Collections Thu–Sat may shift by one day |
| Good Friday | 3 April 2026 | Friday | Collections Fri may shift; check your council |
| Easter Monday | 6 April 2026 | Monday | Collections Mon–Sat may shift by one day |
| Early May Bank Holiday | 4 May 2026 | Monday | Collections Mon–Sat may shift by one day |
| Spring Bank Holiday | 25 May 2026 | Monday | Collections Mon–Sat may shift by one day |
| Summer Bank Holiday | 31 August 2026 | Monday | Collections Mon–Sat may shift by one day |
| Christmas Day | 25 December 2026 | Friday | Collections Fri may shift; check your council |
| Boxing Day * | 28 December 2026 | Monday | Collections Mon–Sat may shift by one day |
* 26 December falls on a Saturday in 2026 — the substitute bank holiday is Monday 28 December.
| Bank Holiday | Date | Day | Likely impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Year's Day | 1 January 2027 | Friday | Collections Fri may shift; check your council |
| Good Friday | 26 March 2027 | Friday | Collections Fri may shift; check your council |
| Easter Monday | 29 March 2027 | Monday | Collections Mon–Sat may shift by one day |
| Early May Bank Holiday | 3 May 2027 | Monday | Collections Mon–Sat may shift by one day |
| Spring Bank Holiday | 31 May 2027 | Monday | Collections Mon–Sat may shift by one day |
| Summer Bank Holiday | 30 August 2027 | Monday | Collections Mon–Sat may shift by one day |
| Christmas Day * | 27 December 2027 | Monday | Collections Mon–Sat may shift by one day |
| Boxing Day * | 28 December 2027 | Tuesday | Collections Tue–Sat may shift by one day |
* 25 December falls on a Saturday in 2027 — substitute bank holidays are Monday 27 and Tuesday 28 December.
Each council handles bank holiday collections differently. Below are the councils currently covered by WhenBin — enter your postcode to see your live, council-specific collection dates including any bank holiday changes.
Herefordshire
Herefordshire adjusts bin collections around bank holidays. Check your exact dates using WhenBin — updated directly from the council.
Check Herefordshire dates →York
York adjusts bin collections around bank holidays. Check your exact dates using WhenBin — updated directly from the council.
Check York dates →Scottish Borders
Scottish Borders adjusts bin collections around bank holidays. Check your exact dates using WhenBin — updated directly from the council.
Check Scottish Borders dates →Reading
Reading adjusts bin collections around bank holidays. Check your exact dates using WhenBin — updated directly from the council.
Check Reading dates →Newport City Council
Newport City Council adjusts bin collections around bank holidays. Check your exact dates using WhenBin — updated directly from the council.
Check Newport City Council dates →Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council
Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council adjusts bin collections around bank holidays. Check your exact dates using WhenBin — updated directly from the council.
Check Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council dates →Winchester City Council
Winchester City Council adjusts bin collections around bank holidays. Check your exact dates using WhenBin — updated directly from the council.
Check Winchester City Council dates →Buckinghamshire Council
Buckinghamshire Council adjusts bin collections around bank holidays. Check your exact dates using WhenBin — updated directly from the council.
Check Buckinghamshire Council dates →We're adding new councils every week. If your council isn't listed yet, enter your postcode on the WhenBin homepage — we'll let you know when your area goes live.
Check your bin collection dates — including bank holiday changes — right now