Tips for 5 Common Throwaways at Christmas

All those beautifully wrapped gifts that have now been opened and someone has the joyful job of collecting the wrapping paper.

Tip #1, check that your local council accepts wrapping paper for recycling if so, remove as much sticky tape as possible and any decorations such as ribbons and bows as these aren’t recyclable.

Tip #2, (if the wrapping paper is accepted in your household collection) have two bags, one for the recyclable paper and one for the unrecyclable glittery and/or foil paper. A good way to tell if the paper is recyclable is to perform the scrunch test, simply scrunch the paper into a ball in your hand and if the paper stays scrunched it’s recyclable, if it springs back it contains foil meaning it’s unrecyclable and needs to go in with your general waste.

Whether the newest all singing, all dancing toy is going through batteries like nobody’s business and you haven’t invested in rechargeable batteries yet, or your tree lights have seen their last Christmas these can be easily recycled but they need to go in the correct recycling container.

Tip #1, some councils accept household batteries as part of their collection but do check with your authority as they will always need to be kept separate. If it isn’t available in your area, shops selling more than 32kg of batteries a year have to provide battery recycling collection facilities in-store.

Tip #2, electrical waste is known as WEEE waste that has reached the end of its life and can no longer be repaired is easily recyclable, some councils collect household electrical items, but again do check as it’s only available in some areas. If you can’t recycle it alongside your kerbside collection you can take it to your local household waste recycling centre. For businesses that are looking to get rid of end of life electricals we have many options available, please get in contact so we can advise you on the best solution for your business.

The Christmas dinner is probably the biggest (and best) meal you’ll eat all year but what do you do with the leftovers (if there are any)?

Tip #1, make Christmas inspired leftovers. There are hundreds of recipes online to keep you fed throughout the festivities.

Tip #2, some food waste is unavoidable such as veggie peelings and meat bones but these are easily recycled through a food recycling collection. If food waste is sent to landfill it decomposes producing harmful gasses. Most councils offer household food recycling, who like us take the food to Anaerobic Digestion to be converted into nutrient-rich fertiliser and biogases, if your business produces food waste, get in contact for a free quote or more information on the benefits of a designated food recycling stream.

Christmas wouldn’t be the same without the tubs of sweets, chocolates and mince pies being passed around, but what’s best to do with the wrappers?

Tip #1, generally sweet and chocolate wrappers are made from plastic and should be put in the general waste but foil mince pie cases can be recycled. Just make sure they’re free from any crumbs and scrunch all the foil cases together to form one big ball as this is easier to be recycled at the facility.

Convenience is a major component in most households at Christmas time with lots of houses opting for disposable baking trays to ease the washing up.

Tip #1, foil trays are recyclable if they’re free from food residue. If not, they need to go into general waste.