Specialist metals and plastics supplier, metals4U, surveyed 2,000 UK adults on recycling and found that just over half (52%) said that recycling is very important to them, with more than a third (35%) suggesting that local councils should be doing more.
Nearly one in five (18%) said their recycling bins weren’t collected enough, shedding light on some of the issues households may face this Christmas as wastage increases for the average family. Local authorities usually issue households with recycling guidance when new bin collection calendars go out in the new year.
Ahead of the Big Day on December 25, a general rule of thumb on recycling is that paper, plain cards and some metals such as aluminium and steel cans can all be recycled along with glass. It’s important to check whether what you’re throwing away can actually be recycled - a full guide will be available on your local council’s website.
Metals expert and Chief Executive at metals4U, Paul McFadyen, has put together a quick guide on the items you can generally recycle after Christmas.
He said, “Environmental conversations will continue to be a focus over the coming years, but during the festive period we should all play our part in reducing our carbon footprint, no matter how big or small, we can all contribute.
“We hope our top tips will help people better understand what they can and can’t recycle this season and work together to make Christmas more sustainable with these small changes.”
Christmas recycling rules - what you need to know
Christmas dinner tin foil
The tinfoil you use to roast your turkey, keep your potatoes warm and cover your leftovers is made from aluminium, a widely recyclable item, that many people usually throw in their general waste. With sustainability in mind, you can even wash your tinfoil with warm soapy water and use it again.
Crackers
Crackers can be recycled if they are made from simple card, any decorations and contents should be removed before the rest is recycled.
Cardboard boxes
Cardboard boxes, after you’ve removed the tape and anything else left in them, can be recycled.
Christmas trees
Real Christmas trees can be turned into wood chippings, with local councils usually advertising pick-up dates in early January. Check your council website to see if this is something they offer.
Wreaths
As long as they don’t have glitter or glue on them and aren’t plastic, Christmas wreaths can go into your garden waste bin after the festive period.
Plain wrapping paper
Glossy and plain wrapping paper can be recycled if it passes the scrunch test; the UK recycling program, Recycle Now, suggests that one way to check whether your wrapping paper can be recycled is by scrunching it up.
If it stays scrunched up in a ball, then it’s generally good to recycle. If not, then it isn’t recyclable.
Don’t forget to remove any sticky tape and non-recyclable tags and bows first.
Christmas items which cannot be recycled
These are the items you may need to dispose of after Christmas in your general waste wheelie bin as they cannot be recycled.
Fairy lights
If you have any broken or unwanted fairy lights, then they should not go into your general waste. They usually contain aluminium metal wiring and should be taken to a recycling centre as they are classed as electrical equipment.
Fancy wrapping paper
Not all wrapping paper is recyclable. If it has glitter or finishing effects like gloss it isn’t. A good test to tell if it is recyclable is to scrunch it into a ball – if it doesn’t stay scrunched after opening your hand, it cannot be recycled.
Christmas cards
Simple Christmas cards are recyclable, but those with embellishments such as glitter and plastic are not, so they need to go in the general waste.
Tinsel and broken baubles
Both tinsel and broken baubles cannot be recycled and should be put in your general waste bin.
Plastic packaging
A lot of plastic packaging, from both presents or food, is non-recyclable, so it’s worth checking the recycling symbols on the packaging before deciding which bin it should go in.
Some plastic wrapping is recyclable such as carrier bags in larger supermarkets, so read the packaging to see if you can help reduce waste by returning food packaging to your local store for recycling.
Polystyrene
While cardboard and paper packaging can usually be recycled, polystyrene, which is often used to protect toys and presents, cannot.
Bubble Wrap
Unfortunately, because bubble wrap is made of complex plastic, it cannot go in the recycling bin.
Wherever you are in the country, your local authority will have recycling facilities near you - find your local council here.
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