Tips for Recycling over Christmas
Paper and card
- Christmas cards, wrapping paper and paper that does not have glitter on are recyclable (glitter causes issues in the recycling process as it can't be removed). Remember to tear off any glitter sections or non-paper items like badges or batteries off your Christmas cards before recycling them. Any wrapping paper or paper with glitter on should go in your black wheeled bin.
- With wrapping paper and gift bags there is the super handy scrunch test: if you scrunch it and it doesn't spring back, then it can be recycled - sorted!
- Remember to take any sellotape, bows and ribbons off your wrapping paper before you recycle it.
- Cardboard packaging, including that from online shopping, can be recycled. Simply flatten to save space and remove any plastic or polystyrene. If possible don't leave it out in the rain- if cardboard is wet then mould sets in meaning it can't be recycled
- Toilet roll tubes often get forgotten but it's easy and worthwhile to recycle them
- If you're not sure if something is made of paper or cardboard and is recyclable - then it probably isn't
Food waste
- Your kitchen caddy can be used for all your food waste over Christmas including turkey bones, potato peelings, eggshells and tea bags
- If you have any leftover turkey, why not make some sandwiches or even a soup with it for your tea?
Glass
The busy festive period leads to a giant 13,350 tonnes of glass bottles being chucked out! So remember, if you have any glass bottles, including the empty cranberry sauce or mincemeat jars, put them out for recycling.
Cans and plastics
Clean food and drink cans, aluminium foil, clean plastic bottles (rinsed, squashed, lids removed), aerosol cans, clean plastic food trays and clean pot and tubs can all be recycled.
Remember, soft plastics including cling film, carrier bags, bubble wrap and plastic magazine wrappers need to be placed in your black wheeled bin.
Real Christmas trees
When the festive season draws to an end, around 250 tonnes of real trees are thrown out when in fact they can be recycled if you take them to your nearest household waste recycling centre (but remove any decorations including tinsel and baubles please). Please check what days and time your nearest site is open by visiting our recycling centres page here.
If you want to use commercial type vehicles or trailers to take your Christmas domestic waste and recycling to the recycling centres, you will need to apply for commercial vehicle or trailer (CVT) permits from the council. You can do so by visiting our CVT Permits page here.