When will my rubbish be collected this Easter? As councils shake-up schedules due to bank holiday
WITH two bank holidays in the space of four days many councils have been forced to shake-up bin collection schedules this Easter.
Missing your slot can see smelly and unsightly waste build up outside your home so it's crucial to check when your rubbish will be collected this Easter.
Southend, Harrow, Hillingdon, Greenwich, Newham, Norfolk, Cambridge and Hertfordshire are among those councils changing schedules in the coming weeks.
How collections are impacted will vary from council to council, with some picking up waste earlier than usual and others pushing back collections.
In Southend those whose bins would normally have been collected on Friday April 18 will instead have waste picked up on Saturday April 19.
Meanwhile in Greenwich Good Friday bin collections will go ahead, but those that would normally fall on Easter Monday (April 21) will instead be collected on Tuesday April 22.
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All other bin collections planned for that week will be pushed back by one day.
Collections will then return to normal from Monday April 28.
In the London borough of Newham bin collections that would have been made on April 17 or 18 will be collected a day earlier, while those due to be picked up the following week will be collected a day later than usual.
If your council is changing collection dates this Easter you should have been notified, but if not you can check online or get in touch with the authority to confirm when your bins should go out.
And don't worry if you're not sure which exact council you fall under - you can use the government's council finder on its website.
You only need to pop in your postcode.
It's important not to risk simply leaving your bins out over the entire Easter holiday as doing so could land you with a fine.
Equally as you dispose of Easter decorations and waste make sure you're placing items in the right bin to avoid your rubbish being left on the side of the road.
Is my bin collection date changing?
Many councils will continue rubbish collections as normal across Easter.
This means you will be able to put out your bins on the usual day.
But others have rearranged their schedule for this weekend only.
For example, Southend's Friday 2 April collections will move to Saturday 3 April.
How can I check my bin collection date?
If you're not sure when to put your bins out, do not panic.
You can find out online when it will be in your area this weekend.
Your local council should have posted an updated timetable to their website.
Some councils have also posted about bin collections on their social media pages.
If you still can't find it, call up your local council to check.
What other bank holidays will see my bin collection day change?
Like Easter, your bin collection date could change over the festive period.
For the majority of local authorities, rubbish will not be collected on Christmas Day.
It is also very unlikely that there will be any rubbish collected on New Year's Day.
Local councils should update their schedule online each time.
Sometimes other bank holidays including the May bank holiday and summer bank holiday can also see collection dates changed.
Wheelie bin rules that could land you with a fine
Regulations surrounding wheelie bins come under section 46A of the Environmental Protection Act 1990, and fines of around £80 can be issued if your bin causes an issue.
Potential breaches include leaving your wheelie bin out for days or obstructing a neighbours' property with your bin.
Other breaches could include obstructing pavements so wheelchairs or buggies cannot pass, or leaving out rubbish in a way likely to attract vermin such as foxes or rats.
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While fines for breaking the bin rules can be as high as £80, homeowners do have a right to explain why they shouldn't have to pay.
Fines cannot be issued for simply putting something into the wrong bin by mistake, forgetting to close bin lids or leaving bins out for a few hours before they're collected.
How to save money at Easter
Sun Savers Editor Lana Clements shares her tips on how to save cash at Easter...
Stock up on eggs - The best value Easter eggs typically sell out by the time the long weekend comes around so by in advance and stash in a cupboard so that you don't get tempted to nibble.
Cut entertaining costs - If you are hosting family or friends over the holiday, consider asking them to bring a dish such as dessert, or a couple of bottles to cut costs. Use a price comparison site to find the lowest prices on the food and any other decorations or gifts that you need. Try PriceRunner or Trolley.co.uk.
Plan ahead - School holidays combined with gift can make Easter a pricey time of year, especially if you have children. Create a budget ahead of time and look for ways to keep it in check. You can go for free days out by making a scavenge hunts and limit the number of
Flash sales - Make a list of what you need for Easter and look out for flash sales or promotions from supermarkets on items that you need.
Cashback - Use cashback sites to get a little kick back on any spending that you are doing. Try Topcashback or Quidco.
Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@news.co.uk.
Plus, you can join our Sun Money Chats and Tips Facebook group to share your tips and stories