We produce more waste during the festive season than at any other time of the year.  Most of our festive rubbish can be recycled, but it’s important to do it right.  Check our festive recycling tips below to get your Christmas recycling sorted and for information about your Christmas and New Year bin collections, and how to recycle your real Christmas tree.

Your recycling efforts really make a difference – every bit of rubbish you recycle or reuse helps.  Materials come back again as new or reused items, saving resources and benefiting the environment.  Did you know that after only 7 days newspaper comes back as… another newspaper?!

Recycling real Christmas trees

If you are buying a real tree for Christmas, don’t forget to recycle it.  Real Christmas trees are usually shredded into chippings which are then used locally in parks or woodland areas. 

You can either cut your tree up into small pieces (less than 120cm) and place in your garden bin if you have one, or take it to one of the designated tree recycling sites across the town.  Please make sure all decorations, tree stands and pots are removed.  

Visit www.lewes-eastbourne.gov.uk/christmastrees for more information.

Festive recycling tips

As well as your usual items, you can also recycle your wrapping paper; cards and envelopes; crackers; cardboard packaging and boxes; mince pie tins; and chocolate and biscuit tins. There are a few things to remember:  

• You can’t recycle shiny, metallic or glittery wrapping paper. If in doubt try the “scrunch test” – if you scrunch the paper and it stays in a ball then it can be put into the recycling.
• Make sure to remove tape, ribbons, bows and other adornments before recycling wrapping paper.
• All glitter-free greeting cards can be recycled. If possible, tear off the glitter section as well as any non-paper items like badges and batteries.
• Flatten cardboard boxes before recycling to save room in your recycling bin.
• Make sure food is removed from foil, card and paper packaging before recycling.

Are you Bourne to Recycle?

Our recycling rewards scheme, Bourne to Recycle, offers all Eastbourne residents the chance to win cash prizes in a monthly draw. This Christmas we’re offering a top prize of £250! Have you signed up yet?

As a thank you for your recycling efforts and helping to increase our recycling rate, all registered homes are entered into a monthly prize draw, with cash prizes of £100 each for five lucky winners. This Christmas we’re offering a bumper prize of £250 on top of five £100 prizes. You have to be in it to win it and all you have to do is sign-up – what are you waiting for?

Registering is easy and takes just a few minutes. Simply visit www.lewes-eastbourne.gov.uk/bournetorecycle.