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Reduce
- Take re-usable shopping bags or carrier bags with you when out shopping.
- Buy gifts made from recycled materials and with minimal packaging.
- Buy wrapping paper and cards which can be recycled. Plain cards without glitter, glue or decorations can be recycled. For wrapping paper, remember the scrunch test! If it scrunches, it can be recycled. Remove sticky tape and decorations before recycling. Foil wrapping paper cannot be recycled.
- If you're thinking of buying electrical goods, check if the shop has a 'take back' service to recycle any old items which you might be replacing.
- Buy rechargeable batteries for electrical goods and toys.
- Get rid of packaging and wrapping paper altogether:
- Go for an alternative gift - eg plant a tree, adopt an animal.
- Go for a gift experience - eg theatre tickets, days out, wine tasting.
- Send an e-Christmas card.
- Use a re-usable gift bag
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Reuse
- Use old Christmas cards as gift tags
- Use old wrapping paper or cards to create some great Christmas decorations
- Reuse any gift bags that you have previously been given
- Selling or gifting unwanted presents. Check local Facebook groups, eBay, Freegle, Freecycle, Vinted and Gumtree.
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Recycle
Make the most of your fortnightly recycling collection to recycle your wrapping paper, cards, drinks bottles, cans and cardboard packaging.
Wrapping paper
Plain wrapping paper (not foil) can be recycled, but if it has glitter or it is plastic or foil based it cannot be recycled and should be placed in your rubbish bin. Remove bows, tags, ribbon and sticky tape before recycling plain wrapping paper. Remember the scrunch test! If it scrunches, it can be recycled. If it doesn't, it can't. Take a look at this short video on the scrunch test
Extra cardboard
Too much cardboard? Flatten it, cut or tear it into pieces that will fit into the blue bag, then secure any extra under your blue bag for collection.
Batteries
Place them in a clear plastic bag at the side of your recycling box, or you can take them to your nearest Recycling Centre.
Christmas tree recycling
Put your natural Christmas tree in or next to your garden waste bin. If your Christmas tree is over 5 feet tall cut into sections to fit into your garden waste bin.
Christmas card recycling
Use your blue bag - only plain cards without stickers, glitter and decorations please.
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We want to hear from you
If you have any top tips for reducing waste and reusing things that would normally go in the bin. Get in touch on our social channels, links below.
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