Oxford City Council and Oxford Direct Services have brought bin collection times forward to 5am this week as extreme heat grips the city. The temporary measure, running from 7 to 10 July 2026, asks residents to put their bins out the night before their scheduled collection to protect crews from heat exhaustion.
Councillor Nigel Chapman, Cabinet Member for Citizen Focused Services and Council Companies, said crew safety was the driving force behind the change. “The safety and wellbeing of our crews is a top priority, particularly during periods of extreme heat,” he said. “These temporary changes help ensure staff can continue to deliver essential services while keeping safe and well and minimising disruption to residents.” The council is urging neighbours to share the adjusted schedule widely.
This is not the first time Oxford has shifted collection times during a heatwave. On 23 June 2026, similar early starts were implemented when a red weather warning was issued and temperatures were forecast to exceed 37°C. The council noted that collection rounds take longer during periods of extreme heat.
Residents are encouraged to help share this information across their communities and online networks to ensure as many people as possible are aware of the temporary changes.
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