Christmas is a time for giving and receiving – but that can mean packaging and unwanted stuff ending up in the bin.
There will be some changes over the Christmas and New Year period, there will be some changes to the collection days, see here for information.
A lot of the extra waste created during the festive season can be recycled. Most of us recycle at this time of year, but are we getting it right?
Here are our top hints and tips:
Christmas lights
Fairy lights should be placed in your brown bin or taken to your local Recycling Centre.
Artificial Christmas Trees
If your artificial tree has come to the end of its life, please do not place in your green or brown bin. Please take it to a recycling centre. Please remember to not put broken or old Christmas decorations in your recycling bin either - these should be placed in your brown bin or taken to your local recycling centre.
Real Christmas Tree
Whilst we don’t offer a collection service you can take your tree to Chelson Meadow Household Waste and Recycling Centre.
Christmas cards
Most cards are paper-based and can be recycled, along with their envelopes, either in your green bin, at local recycling points such as Recycling Centres or at banks in supermarket car parks etc. Cards with glitter on can’t be recycled.
Tip: Any extras such as ribbons, glitter or bows cannot be recycled and need to be removed by tearing off that part of the card.
Advent calendars
After the chocolate has all been eaten – please remember to separate the plastic and cardboard of your advent calendar, before placing in your green bin.
Wrapping paper
Due to the make-up of wrapping paper and the amount of sticky tape and embellishments that cause problems at recycling plants, we only recycle plain paper and non-foil in your green bin. Anything foil, sparkly or covered in tape will need to go in your brown bin.
Tip: Do the scrunch test! Scrunch up the paper and if it doesn't spring back it is non-foil and can be recycled.
Cardboard boxes
If you've ordered goods online this Christmas, it's likely your items were delivered in boxes or envelopes made from corrugated cardboard which can be recycled in your green bin.
Tip: Remember to remove any plastic or polystyrene inserts and excess sticky tape from cardboard boxes before recycling.
Batteries
All those new toys and gadgets mean more batteries to recycle. Please do not put old or used batteries in your green or brown box. Most supermarkets offer collection points. Find your nearest collection point
Tinfoil baking trays
After you have cooked your turkey or your roast potatoes, please do not place dirty foil tins in your green bin. Please can you wash them before you recycle.
Glass bottles
We know there will be an increase in glass bottles over Christmas and New Year. Please place them in your green recycling bin. If you are collecting your empty bottles in a cardboard box, please separate before your place in the recycling bin or taking to a recycling bank, plus we do not recycle broken glass. If you have broken bottles or glasses – wrap them in newspaper and place in your brown rubbish bin.
Unwanted Christmas presents
Get any unwanted Christmas presents this year? Instead of binning them, why not donate these to a charity shop, sell/give away on sites such as Facebook Marketplace, Vinted, Freecycle or even re-gift them to others!
Christmas Food Waste
Please don’t place food in your green recycling bin. It needs to go in your brown bin. There are some hints and tips to help manage food waste over the Christmas period:
Portion planning is important, especially at Christmas when we tend to buy more luxury food items. Guidance to avoid cooking more than you need.
In the UK an estimated 2 million turkeys and 74 million mince pies will be binned. Guide to Christmas food planning.
The main supermarkets will only be closed for one day! When buying fresh and chilled items look for the longest “use by" date to help avoid food waste over the festive season.
It's a good idea to make space in the freezer to ensure you've got as much room as possible to freeze Christmas leftovers, if there are any! From cooked turkey to cheese there are so many freezable items, it's a great way to reduce food waste.
Have you thought about home composting any peelings from your roast dinner? Here’s a guide to what can and cannot be composted. How to compost food at home | BBC Good Food