 Final week of festive bin day changes
We are in the final week of changes to bin collection dates, including garden waste, for the festive period. All collections will return to normal from Monday 13 January.
Our crews will work this Saturday (11 January) and start earlier at 5.30am. Put out your waste the night before to avoid being missed.
To find out which waste to put out and when, use the 'find your bin collection day' tool on our website.
You can also download the free Scrapp app, provided by our partner re3. The app sends push notifications to your mobile on the day before your collections, and allows you to check bin reminders at any time.
 Recycle or reuse your Christmas tree
It's that time of year when we begin to take our Christmas tree down and pack up the festive decorations.
Your real Christmas tree can be recycled using our garden waste collection service or at re3 recycling centres. Cut the tree up and place the chippings in your brown garden waste bin or bag on your collection day.
Remember to remove all tinsel and decorations and any pots or stands before recycling.
Alternatively, add the chippings to your compost bin or heap, if you have one.
If you have a Christmas tree with its roots still attached, replanting it is a great way to reduce your carbon footprint, if you have the space.
Reuse artificial trees
Artificial Christmas trees are made from a combination of materials, so they can't be recycled. Keeping your artificial tree for future Christmases is a great way to save money and not increase your carbon footprint.
If you can't keep it for whatever reasons, see if any charity shops can accept it for re-sale or re-use, if it is still in good condition.
 Tips to recycle Christmas cards
Most Christmas cards are paper-based and can be recycled along with their envelopes in your green recycling bags.
Remember to remove any extras like ribbon, glitter or bows, or simply tearing off that part of the card before recycling.
Batteries should also be removed from musical cards and disposed of at recycling points, including local supermarkets and re3 recycling centres. They may cause fire if mixed in with other waste or recycling. Use the online Recycling Locator tool to find your nearest recycling point.
Is wrapping paper recyclable?
You can put wrapping paper in your green bag, except for plastic, foil or glittery types. Remember to remove all decorations such as gift tags, ribbons and bows before recycling.
How do you check? Try this simple test: scrunch the paper into a ball. If it stays scrunched, it can be recycled.
 Repair café celebrates first year of success
Woodley Repair Café just celebrated its first birthday on Sunday 5 January!
Over the past 12 months, the friendly team of volunteers has looked at more than 500 broken or faulty items. They saved nearly a tonne of waste from ending up in landfill or being burnt for energy - that's about 6,500 kg of carbon emissions. The most commonly repaired items included hoovers, toasters and clothing.
The team wholeheartedly thanks the residents for their support and hopes to see even more people bringing in items for repair to save from buying new ones.
Carol Jewell, founder of the Woodley Repair Café, said, "What a first year we've had! The skill and commitment of our fixers and volunteers never ceases to amaze me!"
Looking ahead, Woodley Repair Café hopes to run workshops and, if possible, engage young people in practical skills to foster a culture of repair.
We congratulate the Repair Café on its success and thank the volunteers for their great effort in reducing waste and helping the environment.
|
