During the holidays, there are changes to the waste collection schedule and opening hours of environmental parks. Want to know exactly what is different for your street? Go to the Waste Guide App or https://www.mijnafvalwijzer.nl/, also visit https://www.rotterdam.nl/uw-afval-tijdens-de-feestdagen

Waste collection at a different time

Many of the waste bins and neighborhood containers will be closed during the holidays. We do this for everyone’s safety and also to prevent damage caused by fireworks:

• On December 31 and January 1, some of the containers for residual waste, paper, and textiles will be closed. All GFE containers will also be closed. They will reopen on January 2. Dispose of your waste in time or keep it at home until January 2.
• Between December 16 and 31, street waste bins will be closed. They will reopen on January 4. In shopping areas, the bins will be closed from December 28 to January 2. Take your waste home with you.
• Household containers will not be emptied on December 25 and 26 and January 1. The garbage truck will come one day earlier or later, between 6:30 AM and 10:00 PM. Check in the Waste Guide app. on which day the garbage truck will come by at your place. Keep your waste at home until that day.
• From December 15 to January 2, the 130 bread bins in the city will be temporarily indoors. We will not collect old bread during this time. Keep the bread at home or throw it in the GFE container. If there is no GFE container near you, throw it in the residual waste container.

Different opening hours for environmental parks and bicycle point

On December 5, 24, and 31, the environmental parks and the Bicycle Point are open until 3:00 PM. On December 25 and 26 and January 1, all environmental parks and the Bicycle Point are closed. Read more on the pages Environmental Park and Bicycle Point.

Bulk waste collection between Christmas and New Year’s Eve

Between December 22, 2025, and January 4, 2026, there is less availability to make an appointment for bulk waste collection. Make an appointment for your bulk waste collection before or after this period, or bring your bulk waste yourself to one of the environmental parks.

Mattress collection between December 22, 2025, and January 9, 2026

Between December 22, 2025, and January 9, 2026, there is less availability to make an appointment for mattress collection. Make an appointment for mattress collection before or after this period, or bring the mattress yourself to one of the environmental parks.

Returning or disposing of your Christmas tree

From December 27, you can return or dispose of your Christmas tree. Always return your Christmas tree without decorations. We make wood chips or compost from the collected trees. This is only possible if your tree is completely bare. You can return your Christmas tree at a sports club, scouting group, playground, or someone in your neighborhood who participates in the collection action. The collector receives €0.50 per tree at these locations. View the list of collection points on the Christmas Trees page.

You can dispose of your Christmas tree in two ways:

1. Next to the waste container Between December 27, 2025, and January 31, 2026, place your Christmas tree 1 meter next to the waste container. You do not need to make a (MeldR) report that you have placed your tree next to the waste container.
2. At the spot where you place your household waste container The municipality will collect your Christmas tree separately from your household waste container. It may happen that your container is emptied but the Christmas tree is collected at a different time. You do not need to make a MeldR report.

Important!

• Do not place your Christmas tree on the street on New Year’s Eve or New Year’s Day. Prevent fire hazards!
• Remove all decorations from the Christmas tree. We can only make compost or wood chips from trees without decorations.
• If it freezes in the city, we first salt the roads and streets. Waste and Christmas tree collection may then take longer. You do not need to report if it takes longer for your waste to be collected. Thank you for your understanding.

Bring (frying) fat to the environmental park, petting zoo, or collection point

Do you fry oliebollen or other food during the holidays? You may not dispose of fat in the residual waste. Save the (frying) fat and bring it later to the environmental park, the petting zoo, or a collection point near you. Do not pour it into the sink or toilet. This prevents fat from clogging the sewer or your drain. And you help with waste separation.

Dispose of (frying) fat as follows:

• Let the fat cool down.
• Pour the cooled fat back into the original packaging or an empty plastic bottle. This is easiest with a funnel.
• Close the packaging tightly.
• Bring the packaging to the nearest environmental park, a petting zoo, or a collection point for frying fat. Link opens an external page.

More information is available on the Fat page.

Make cardboard boxes small and flat

• Make cardboard boxes small and flat before putting them in the paper container. This way, containers fill up more slowly. It also prevents boxes from getting stuck.
• Large pieces of cardboard can be brought free of charge to an environmental park . Or you can have them collected for free. Make an appointment for collection of bulk waste.

Read more on the paper and cardboard page.

Help the garbage collectors and cleaners

In December, especially around the holidays, there is always more waste. Then our garbage collectors and cleaners work extra hard to keep Rotterdam clean. Help them by disposing of your waste properly.

• Throw waste in the container, not beside it. This keeps your neighborhood clean and prevents a fine.
• If the container is full, walk to another container. Or temporarily take the garbage bag back home. You can find all containers on the container map page.
• Bring bulk waste or (broken) items free of charge to an environmental park, or make an appointment to have it picked up for free. You can make an appointment online via the bulk waste page. You can also call phone number 14 010. Do not put your bulk waste on the street or next to the container.
• If the container is full, broken, or clogged, report it via the MeldR app or call 14 010.

More information

For more information about waste collection and separation, visit the waste page. Information about New Year’s Eve, the fireworks show, and the fireworks ban in Rotterdam is available on the New Year’s page.

Source: Municipality of Rotterdam