Christmas recycling
We all look forward to Christmas and enjoy being with friends and family, but we do end up creating more household waste. In fact an estimated additional three quarters of a million tonnes of it over the festive period.
A few festive waste facts
During Christmas, the UK will consume 5.5m jars of mincemeat, 12m jars of pickles, and 6.5m jars of cranberry sauce. Recycling them will save enough energy to boil the water for 60m cups of tea.
Up to 1bn Christmas cards will be used in the UK.
Over 83 sq km of wrapping paper will be used, enough to cover the Derby County football pitch over 1,500 times.
Over 6m trees will have been bought by Christmas day.
On average an extra five black bin bags per household in England will be produced over Christmas.
The good news
The good news is that there are easy ways to help cut our waste-lines and tackle climate change. And we can do this without becoming Scrooge, scrimping on food or switching off decorative lights.
Here are some ways we can all help tackle the waste problem this Christmas.
Christmas recycling collections
Make sure that you know when your recycling will be collected over the festive period. Contact your local district or borough council for further information on your Christmas kerbside collection service (sometimes collection days can change). This will help you to put out your recycling and rubbish on the right day.
For any extra recycling use your local recycling sites often found at supermarkets or in pub car parks.
Christmas tree recycling
Once Christmas is over you can recycle (compost) your real Christmas tree by:
Placing it in your garden waste bin (if it is collected at this time of year). It may be necessary to break/saw the tree into a manageable size or place it next to your garden waste bin on collection day. Contact your local district or borough council to check whether you can do this.
Taking it to a Christmas tree recycling collection point in your area. Contact your local district or borough council to find out if they are providing these.
Taking it to your nearest household waste recycling centre. It will then be composted along with other garden materials.
Bright Sparks recycle electricals
If you receive new electrical items for Christmas remember that unwanted old ones could be reused by your local Furniture Project. Check with them to see if your items are suitable for reuse. Or take them to be recycled at our household waste recycling centres.
Some retailers will also recycle your old appliances for you when you buy new ones, so check with them before you make the purchase. Find out more about electrical waste recycling.
Recycle your mobiles
New mobile phones remain a popular gift at Christmas.
Replacing your old phone does not need to damage the environment. There are many ways mobile phones can be reused/recycled. Recycling them saves precious metals and materials.
Charities often collect them or provide envelopes for you to send your phone, charger and accessories for recycling. Check if your local charity shops accept phones. Some supermarket chains also collect mobiles for reuse or recycling.
Christmas cards
Christmas cards are another important waste issue with nearly a billion being sent in the UK each year.
There are a number of websites that provide e-cards to send to friends and family. Friends of the Earth offers its own designs (opens in a new window) for free.
If you choose to send real cards you can reduce the impact on the environment by using those printed on recycled card.
Christmas card recycling
Christmas cards may be included within your cardboard recycling collection. Contact your local district or borough to check whether you can. Decorated, foil backed or cards with musical features should not be included. Plain Christmas cards can also be taken to your nearest household waste recycling centre.
Look out for Christmas card recycling schemes in your local supermarkets and stores in the new year. Marks and Spencer (opens in a new window) in partnership with the Woodland Trust will be offering Christmas card recycling in stores during January 2012.
More ideas
We have more information on preparing for Christmas and a page of top tips to help you lead a more environment-friendly Christmas.