Recycling can be confusing at the best of times, but at Christmas, it can become even more complicated. In the UK, Christmas is the most wasteful holiday, generating over 688,000 tonnes of waste annually. This isn’t surprising with all the cards, wrapping paper, food and plastic packaging.
What can and can’t be recycled is constantly changing, and over the past couple of years, there has been a big shift to more sustainable and environmentally friendly Christmas practices. All you need to do is take a look down the wrapping aisle in a supermarket to see that most of it is now either brown paper or labelled “recyclable wrapping paper”.
But the constant changes make it hard to know what can and can’t be recycled over the festive period.
As recycling experts, we’ve put together this list of a few common festive items that can and can’t be recycled.
Glitter is often added to Christmas cards to enhance the idea of a white Christmas or to wrapping paper to add a bit of sparkle synonymous with the festive season.
But, while it looks very pretty, it actually is not very environmentally friendly. Anything with glitter on it can not be recycled.
Why? Because it’s a danger to the recycling process as the tiny particles can clog up the machinery. They also work their way into recycled paper, which is then rejected by the end user.
This isn’t really specific to Christmas time, but due to the volume of food that is consumed, and therefore the amount of packaging thrown away, it is worth making a point of.
Around 4,200 tonnes of foil from turkey wrapping is disposed of each year… and that is just the turkey! Imagine what that figure would be for the whole kitchen in every household across the UK.
Any food packaging covered in grease, including pizza boxes, mince pie cases and turkey trays, cannot be recycled. This is because grease prevents the fibres in the paper or card from separating from the oil during the pulping process. So, if your food packaging has any food remnants on it, throw it in general waste.
Everyone loves crisps and dip. Whether it is a snack between meals or part of a festive buffet, you can rely on the Pringles tubes to be out on the table.
While it’s widely known that you can’t put ordinary crisp packets in kerbside recycling (although you can send them off to be recycled), did you know round tubs of crisps, such as the ones used by Pringles, also can’t be recycled?
That’s because they are made of up to five different materials, each of which needs to go through a separate recycling process.
Gift bags are easy ways to wrap and contain a present, making them useful things over Christmas.
These are often easy to reuse, and the cardboard bag is easy to recycle. However, did you know you need to remove the ribbon or robe handles before placing it in the recycling bin?
The good news is there is plenty that can be recycled over the festive season!
It’s surprising how many people don’t realise that you can recycle foil, but as it’s made from aluminium, it’s actually really easy to recycle (as long as it’s clean).
Some kerbside recycling schemes don’t accept all types of foil, such as trays for cooking turkeys, so contact a reputable recycling company to find out where you can drop yours off.
The Christmas tree is the centre of every household over the season, no matter whether you have a real or a fake one.
It is always sad when the time comes to take it all down after all the celebrations and the weight of sadness is doubled with a real one as you figure out what to do with it.
Many local councils offer free Christmas tree collections or, if yours don't, many schemes also offer a free pick-up service.
The recycled Christmas trees are usually shredded into chippings for use in parks and woodland areas. Of course, you need to make sure you remove all decorations before putting them out for collection!
Aside from Halloween, Christmas is one of the most sweet-filled times of the year! You know it is Christmas when the boxes of Quality Streets, Celebrations, Heros and Roses line the shop entrances.
Large sweet tubs are great for recycling. You can either choose to keep them for handy storage or send them off to be given a new lease of life.
Tin tubs are widely collected at kerbside as they’re made from metal, but you’ll need to check with your local authority for plastic tubs or take them to a recycling firm that accepts plastic.
As we mentioned above, today, most wrapping paper is recyclable. On average, around 227,000 miles of wrapping paper is thrown away each year. That is a lot of paper, so think of the difference recycling, even some of that can make.
If you aren’t sure where to put your pile of wrapping paper, use the scrunch test; if it stays in the scrunched ball, it can go in the recycling bin. If it unfolds, you will need to put it in your general waste bin.
Don’t forget, if it has any glitter on, it needs to go in the general waste bin, as the glitter can’t be recycled.
A table is not set for Christmas dinner without the crackers, but what do you do with them once you have emptied the toys, worn the hats and laughed at the poor jokes?
All of the cardboard in the cracker can be recycled, so if you empty them, you can put them in the recycling bin - as long as there is no glitter.
Most Christmas decorations get reused each Christmas, but trends change, and things get old, so getting rid of some eventually is inevitable.
If you have a wreath that doesn’t use glue or glitter, you can put it in your garden bin.
Fairy lights can be trickier to dispose of because they are classed as WEEE waste, which is a hazardous waste stream. Therefore, they require careful disposal at a recycling centre that can accept electrical waste. Currently, tinsel and baubles can’t be recycled in the UK, even if they are glass or plastic without glitter. So, if you have some you are looking to get rid of, you can just put them in your general waste bin at the end of the season.
35,877 tonnes of plastic packaging is discarded over Christmas, and if you have kids, it’s not hard to see why.
Each toy comes with what feels like neverending layers of plastic and ties. All of which need to be disposed of.
Most of the plastic and cardboard can be recycled from toy packaging - you just need to remember to remove any plastic windows from the cardboard as that can’t yet be recycled.
If you end up with a mountain of toys and decide to have a little clear out over the Christmas holiday, think about where the toys can go before just putting them in the bin.
If they are in good condition, think about taking them to a local charity shop so other kids can enjoy it.
When toys are beyond repair, check if your local recycling centre will accept them.
Christmas waste is 30% higher compared to the rest of the year, which has a significant impact on the environment.
Before throwing everything in the general waste bin, take a second to question whether it can go into the recycling.
Most of your Christmas waste will likely be able to go into your household recycling bin if it can be recycled.
If it can't, don't hesitate to drop it off at one of our household recycling centres in Dorset or Oxford. These are free and stress-free, so you can easily dispose of your waste while feeling happy you are doing your bit for the environment.
Not sure what can and can’t be recycled? Don’t worry, our friendly team can help. Call us on 01202 675564 or complete our online contact form, and we will get back to you.
01202 675564
office@wsrecycling.co.uk
W&S Recycling Services,
14-16 Nuffield Road,
Nuffield Industrial Estate,
Poole,
Dorset BH17 0RB
01202 675564
office@wsrecycling.co.uk
W&S Recycling Services,
14-16 Nuffield Road,
Nuffield Industrial Estate,
Poole,
Dorset BH17 0RB
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