Christmas information

There will be some changes to collections due to the Christmas and new year bank holidays, please see our revised collections page for these changes.

Check out the tips below to see how you can cut down on waste this Christmas and learn what you can recycle.

Blue lid bin or box for paper and card

•  Wrapping paper - to find out whether your wrapping paper can go in the paper and card bin or box, do the scrunch test. If the paper stays in a ball after being scrunched up, it can be recycled; if it doesnt please put it in your black bin/sack for non-recyclable waste. foil wrapping or paper that has glitter on, cannot be recycled. Please try and remove all tape, ribbon and bows before recycling
• Used paper napkins and plates cannot be recycled
• Christmas cards – Christmas cards covered in glitter cannot be recycled. Plain Christmas cards can be recycled or consider saving them to reuse as tags next year
• cardboard packaging – flatten before putting in your bin or box – additional flattened cardboard boxes can be left by your bin or box.
• crackers – if the wrapper can be scrunched and holds its shape and they are not glittery or metallic then it can be recycled along with the cardboard tube, paper joke, paper hat and the snapper, any plastic prizes must be put in your non-recyclable waste bin
• advent calendars – the outer cardboard can be recycled in the blue lid bin/box and the plastic inner can be recycled in the pink lid bin/sack. Just ensure it is free from foil or chocolate

For more information on what can go into the paper and card bin (blue lid) or box, sign up to our resident app  or visit our paper and card collection pages.

Food waste

• all left over food (once removed from packaging) can go in your food waste bin
• unopened boxes of chocolates, biscuits etc. can be regifted or given to charity
• to reduce your food waste, only buy what you need for the Christmas period, sticking to portion size per person
• buffets are a great way to reduce food waste. Any leftovers can go in the fridge to eat the following day
• For more tips on meal planning head to Love Food Hate Waste .

For more information on what can go into the food waste collection bin, sign up to our resident app or visit our food waste collection pages.

Pink lid bin/sack

• Kitchen foil- such as turkey roasting trays and foil mince pie cases can be recycling- as long as it's clean and dry
• glass and plastic bottles can be recycling however glass Christmas decorations cannot. Consider taking them to a charity shop to be reused or put it in your non-recyclable waste bin/sack
• plastic cork can be recycled but natural cork cannot
• plastic and metal tubs and pots such as sweets and biscuit tins can be recycled

For more information on what can go into the pink recycling sack, see our Mixed recycling collection - pink lid bin recycling pages.

Black lid bin/sack

• natural cork
• crisp packets and other soft plastic- these can also be taken to some large supermarkets for recycling
• bows, ribbons, tinsel and sticky tape
• foil wrapping paper
• wrapping paper with glitter on
• Polystyrene
• anything that cannot be recycled

For more information on what can go into the black lid bin or sack, sign up to our resident app  or visit our non-recyclable waste - black bin pages.

Small electronics and Textiles

• Christmas lights and other small electrical items can be recycled through our bookable service. More information can be found on our recycling small electrical items page
• Christmas jumpers and other textiles - consider donating good quality items to a local charity or alternatively they can be recycled through our bookable service. More information can be found on our textile recycling page.

Home composting

If you have a compost heap at home, all fruits and veggies can go in here. Natural cork can also go in your home compost heap, or when chopped into small pieces, it can be used as mulch on plants.

Household Waste Recycling Centre opening times

For opening days and times for both Household Waste Recycling Centres over the Christmas and New Year period please see our Christmas opening times page