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Environment News

Do the scrunch test - recycle wrapping paper wisely

Not all wrapping paper is equal.

Avoid paper with glitter, plastic lamination or metallic foil, as these cannot be recycled locally.

Plain or patterned paper without plastic is best and remember to use the scrunch test.

Scrunch the paper into a ball and if it stays scrunched, it can usually be recycled. If it springs back, put it in your rubbish.

Remove all ribbons, bows and sticky tape before recycling and consider using paper tape, which peels cleanly, or reuse gift bags.

Keep paper dry and place it loose in your green bag. A little care makes a big difference to the quality of the recycling.

Fix it before Christmas - local repair cafés can help

Got a favourite gadget that’s stopped working? Or a chair that needs a quick fix before the guests arrive?

Recently, volunteers brought a family heirloom, a light-up Christmas ferris wheel, back to life at the Repair Café at Lambs Lane Primary School. Why not bring along your own festive decorations, lights or favourite gadgets to be tested or repaired.

Flatten cardboard to make room for more recycling 

Online deliveries bring extra boxes. Please remove loose plastic film, polystyrene and bubble wrap, then flatten boxes to save room.

If a box is very large, tear or cut it into pieces that fit inside your green bag.

Keep cardboard dry and store it indoors or under cover until collection day. Soggy cardboard is difficult to recycle.

If you have more than fits in your green bag, spread it across the next collection or take a larger load to a re3 recycling centre.

You can also pick up extra recycling bags from one of the hubs (maximum two per trip). Writing your house number on spare boxes can help prevent windblown litter on blustery days.

Know your plastics during the holidays

Only put food packaging such as plastic bottles, tubs, pots and trays in your green recycling bag. Please rinse containers and squash bottles with the lids on.

Avoid putting in plastic film, crisp packets, sweet wrappers or cling film, as these contaminate recycling and can cause the whole bag to be rejected.

Some supermarkets have soft plastic collection points for items like carrier bags and bread bags. If you use one of these, check the store’s poster for accepted items and make sure they are clean and dry.

When in doubt, check the Scrapp app or our website.

Even more DIY waste items can be disposed of

The list of materials classed as DIY waste has been expanded, making it easier to dispose of it for free.

You can do this at your local re3 recycling centre and are allowed to bring up to 100 litres of loose DIY waste, or one large bulky item, per visit.

This free allowance can be used up to four times within a four-week period. Any DIY waste that exceeds the allowance will be chargeable at the standard rate.

You were already able to take things such as hardcore, rubble and plasterboard.

Materials that can now be disposed of include:

• Bathroom and kitchen items
• Timber
• Windows and doors
• Roofing materials
• Others items such as turf or wood burners

When booking, please confirm you are bringing DIY waste, or charges may apply. You can see a full list of prices for items that exceed the free allowance.

Set reminders for revised festive collection dates 

Remember, your bin collections will change over the festive period.

Our crews will be taking a well-earned break on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day, which all fall on normal collection days this year.

Collections scheduled between Thursday 25 December and Friday 9 January will happen later than usual because of the bank holidays.

Our crews will also work on Saturdays to catch up, starting their routes from 5.30am.

Check your updated collection dates before putting your bins out and add reminders to your calendar. Help others by sharing the information in your street's WhatsApp group, so everyone stays on track.