Sunday 19 December 2021
Father Christmas is not the only person who will be out and about late at night this week, making sure they get to every home in Guernsey.
Christmas and New Year is also traditionally the busiest fortnight of the year for the island's waste and recycling collection teams. And although this year promises to be no different for them, it should be much simpler for households.
Most years the festive period means changes to collection nights for thousands of households. However with Christmas Day and New Year's Day falling on Saturdays, there will be no changes to collections this year.
Guernsey Waste recycling officer Tina Norman-Ross said Christmas and New Year is always a peak time for waste and recycling.
"If we are lucky, most of us will get the opportunity to put our feet up for some time over the holiday. We should perhaps spare a thought for, and maybe raise a glass to, all the waste and recycling collection crews and the staff at the various waste sites, as this is one of their busiest times of the year."
If anyone is unsure of what materials to put out each week, they can check at www.gov.gg/mybinnight.
The Household Waste & Recycling Centre at Longue Hougue will also be open until 12pm on Christmas Eve for islanders to take their recycling and waste, except on Thursday 23 December which is the normal closure day.
Drop off facilities for paper, cardboard, tins, cartons and plastics are also available at the bring bank sites at Longfrie, Rohais and Salerie Corner. Extra collections will be made right up until Christmas Eve, but they will not be emptied on Christmas Day, Boxing Day or New Year's Day.
Mrs Norman-Ross said it is important not to leave any items if the bins are full.
"It is actually an offence to leave items on the ground, and it makes an awful mess. It's just not worth it, since most items can now go into your kerbside recycling bags, and there is no limit on how many you can put out.
"If a bring bank is full, please take your items home again or to another site. It is only fair for the teams that clear the sites and keep them tidy all year round to have Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day off to spend with their families."
Full opening times for all waste sites over the holiday period can be found at www.gov.gg/wasteopeningtimes.
