Seasonal Recycling Guide - what and how to recycle at Christmas

Seasonal Recycling Guide

 

Colin McFarlin is a Volunteer Waste Prevention Advisor with West Sussex County Council. Christmas is a busy time for talks and community events and poses more recycling questions than any other time of year. Here are his ideas, tips and guidance on how to have a greener Christmas.

 

Recyclable Items

· Wrapping paper – paper based wrapping paper can be recycled in West Sussex, just try to remove as much Sellotape as possible. If you are unsure if your wrapping paper is more paper or plastic, do the scrunch test! Scrunch the paper up and it if stays scrunched, it can be placed in your at home recycling bin. If the wrapping paper bounces back, it has a higher plastic

content and can’t be recycled.

· Cardboard boxes – flatten boxes to save room and place these in your recycling bin!

· Christmas cards – if possible remove bows and ribbons first before placing in the recycling bin, the bows, ribbons and other accessories from the card can be reused or popped in the rubbish bin.

· Sweet and chocolate tins and tubes – metal, cardboard or paper can all be recycled!

· Glass bottles - tasty juices, beer, wine and champagne glass bottles all go in the recycle bin.

· Remember the best recycling is clean, dry and loose! Don’t bag your recycling and ensure the lid closes so rain doesn’t get in and ruin the recycling’s quality.

 

Unrecyclable Items

· Wrapping decorations- plastic wrapping paper, bows and ribbons from cards and gift wrap can be carefully removed and saved for you to use on your presents next year.

· Christmas fairy lights – these are classed as WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) and can either be taken to the Recycling Centre or check with your local District or Borough council as they may offer WEEE collections.

· Artificial trees – Either save for use next year or take to your local Recycling Centre, remember to check and see if you have to book to visit your closest centre.

Dead batteries – Many electrical stores and supermarket have bins for batteries, where they can be sent for proper disposal. Never put batteries in your household bins as these can cause fires when they get to processing centres. You can also take to the Recycling Centre or check with your local District or Borough council as they may offer battery collections.

 

Other ways to recycle Check out nearest drop off points for many other materials, using this handy Recycling Locator

Happy (Christmas) Recycling!

 

To ask a question or find out more visit @WSRecycles on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram!