Christmas recycling

We produce more waste during the festive season than at any other time of year; fortunately, a lot of it can be recycled or reused.

In your blue bags

• brown cardboard and corrugated cardboard packaging from online deliveries, toys and large electrical items (remember to remove all plastic packaging and labels first, then flatten and cut down the cardboard before putting it in the bag). You can also check if the company offers a free take back scheme for packaging

• Christmas cards and Christmas crackers (as long as they're not metallic or have glitter on them), as well as envelopes

• wrapping paper that passes the 'scrunch test' (if you scrunch the paper in your hand and it stays in a ball, you can put it in your blue bag)

• Christmas catalogues and brochures

In your black boxes (or blue-lidded wheelie bin)

• recycle the foil from your mince pies and turkey, but remember to rinse and remove any bits of food first

• glass food jars and glass bottles (any colour) rinsed out

• plastic bottles, cardboard food and drinks cartons and drinks cans, all washed and squashed

• thin light coloured plastic packaging and plastic food trays

In your garden waste bin

Treecycle your 'real' Christmas trees and festive plants (with all soil, decorations and ribbon removed). Please ensure Christmas trees are cut into small pieces with branches no larger than 10cm in diameter. You can subscribe to our garden waste collection service from Monday 9 January 2023.

Are your recycling boxes and bags overflowing?

We don't usually accept materials that can't be put in your box or bag (we call it 'side waste'), but to help with all the extra stuff from Christmas, we will take extra recycling at this time of the year.

But, you'll need to help us help you.

Put any extra items for recycling in a clear plastic bag, so the crew can easily see what's inside. Please use one bag for paper and cardboard and a second for plastics, glass, cans and cartons.