The last thing you want is to find yourself having to visit the local tip this festive season because you 'missed the bins'.
So to ensure that you're not one of those poor people dragging their bin bags into the boot of the car the day after Boxing Day, make a note of these changes to collection dates over the next couple of weeks:
Normal Collection Date Temporary change
Monday 26 December 2011 Tuesday 27 December 2011
Tuesday 27 December 2011 Wednesday 28 December 2011
Wednesday 28 December 2011 Thursday 29 December 2011
Thursday 29 December 2011 Friday 30 December 2011
Friday 30 December 2011 Saturday 31 December 2011
Monday 2 January 2012 Tuesday 3 January 2012
Tuesday 3 January 2012 Wednesday 4 January 2012
Wednesday 4 January 2012 Thursday 5 January 2012
Thursday 5 January 2012 Friday 6 January 2012
Friday 6 January 2012 Saturday 7 January 2012
Collections will be back to normal on Monday 9th January 2012.
Christmas trees should be put our next to your green garden bin or food caddy on collection days throughout January. Unlike previous years, Manchester Council will NOT be collecting Christmas trees from your local park.
For further information, visit www.manchester.gov.uk/recycling, email contact@manchester.gov.uk or call 0161 234 5004.
Christmas Card Recycling Schemes
Rather than just dumping your Christmas cards in with the paper waste, look out for Christmas card recycling schemes, such as the Woodland Trust, and find collection bins at many high-street retailers so the charity benefits. If you want to go one step further, why not take your unwanted, unsuitable or duplicate gifts to your local charity shop? Not only will they go to a good home, but they will raise money for the charity too.
Last Posting Dates
Today (Wednesday 14 December) is the last posting date for parcels. If you've missed it panic not as Royal Mail are offering Recorded, Special Delivery and Parcelforce Express Delivery 24 right up until Christmas Eve 2011.
For last-minute Christmas cards sent to addresses in the UK, you can post them via second class up until Saturday 17th December and first class up until Tuesday 20th December.