Valentine’s Day is all about romance, so we are asking people to have a heart and love the environment too by reducing, reusing and recycling right.

• REDUCE - Reduce the amount of waste you create by sending an e-card and choosing chocolates that have minimal packaging.
• REUSE – If you’re giving a present, use a reusable gift bag or secure your wrapping paper with a ribbon instead of sticky tape, so the wrapping paper can be used again.
• RECYCLE - Valentines cards and wrapping paper without glitter, flocking or foil and cardboard packaging can all be recycled at home using your kerbside recycling bin. But remember the plastic trays in boxes of chocolates need to be placed in your general waste bin.

If you’re lucky enough to receive flowers, don’t forget they can be turned into compost using your garden waste bin or a home compost bin.

Did you know that 9 February is National Pizza Day?

A takeaway pizza can be a real treat for the family to enjoy but the empty box can be a real headache for recyclers. Many people think that because the box is made of cardboard it is good for recycling, but this is not the case. The box will be contaminated with food and grease making it unsuitable for recycling. So, when the last slice has been eaten make sure the box goes in your general waste bin.

Making pancakes dates back to the 15th century and they have always been a great example of preventing food waste. The tradition of eating pancakes in February started with people wanting to use up their eggs, butter and fat before fasting for Lent.

Nowadays we can use them to be even more creative by going savoury, adding other leftover ingredients or by using up any leftover batter to make another meal.

A survey of Nottinghamshire residents last year showed that almost a third thought that aerosol or spray cans could not be recycled at home. The good news is you definitely can recycle that can!

So next time you have an empty deodorant, polish or air freshener spray pop it in your household recycling bin. It will then be recycled into something brand new.

Please remember when recycling aerosols:

• Make sure your whole household know that aerosols and spray cans can be recycled
• Ensure they are completely empty before recycling
• Do not pierce, crush or flatten them
• Detach any loose or easily removable parts, such as the lid and dispose of these in your general waste bin
• Pop the empty aerosol can in your recycling bin and send it on its recycling journey

Don't forget, if you're not sure if something can be recycled or not, you can use our new Recycling Checker to find out. It's available to use in the MyNotts app, which is free to download. 

With half term just around the corner, are you looking for a fun way to educate your young ones about recycling and the environment? 

Why not take a look at our education sheets? There you will meet the Waste Warriors who will lead you through a set of challenges based on what happens to the things you put in your bins at home, together with a variety of other creative reuse and story based activities. You may even learn a few things yourself!

To celebrate World Book Day on 2 March we have 10 copies of ‘Munch and the Funny Tummy’ to giveaway to Nottinghamshire residents.

Set in the fictional town of Greentown, the book is about Ricky and Rachel and their recycling truck called Munch. Together they make up the Greentown Recycling Team. The book teaches children about the importance of recycling and is aimed at five to seven year olds.

With lighter evenings on the way, our 12 recycling centres are extending their opening times at the beginning of March by two hours.

During February our recycling centres will be open from 8am to 4pm, but from 1 March they will be open from 8am to 6pm every day of the week.