Islanders are being advised that waste, recycling and garden subscription collections are changing over the Christmas and new year period — although many households will only see one week of change to their usual waste collection day.

Between Monday, December 21, and Friday, December 25, all households will have their bins collected on a different day than normal.

For most people, this will be a day earlier. However, collections due on Monday, December 21, will instead be on Saturday, December 19.

Collections then return to normal the following week, other than for those homes with collections due on Friday, January 1, with waste or recycling collections that day being completed on Saturday, January 2, instead.

All collections return to normal the following week, from Monday, January 4.

Garden waste collections will also follow the same amended timetable.

If you have a garden waste subscription you can pop your real Christmas tree out alongside your garden bin for recycling.

To assist residents, households will be allowed to place excess polystyrene in a clear or white sack between Saturday, December 19, and Friday, January 8, on their refuse collection week.

Excess polystyrene or other waste placed in black sacks will not be collected.

Afton Marsh Recycling Centre, Freshwater will open as usual on its normal opening days and hours.

Lynnbottom Recycling Centre will be open as normal, but closed on Christmas Day.

Bulky waste collections will run as normal other than on Christmas Day and New Year's Day.

Natasha Dix, the council's waste and environment manager, said: "The Christmas period can mean more waste – but like the rest of the year we can still recycle most of it if we all put it in the right bins.

"You might not be sure where to put some of the seasonal things — maybe wrapping paper or bubble wrap — so check the council website for the definitive list."

More information on waste collections can be accessed at www.iwight.com/waste