Across Christmas you will probably find that you either buy or get given things you won’t necessarily see throughout the rest of the year.
So whilst we’re used to recycling the items that we deal with all-year round, these more festive items might cause us to think to ourselves “can I recycle this?” or perhaps “what can I recycle from this?”
With this in mind, we thought it would be a good idea to run through some festive things that can be recycled.
Large chocolate tubs
Many of us will have these at some point over Christmas-time. Let’s face it, they’re handy for when family and friends pop round and they also tend to be the go-to present for those people who can be tricky to buy for.
So please know that these containers – Quality Street, Celebrations, Roses, Heroes etc – can be recycled with all your other plastics. The more traditional aluminium ones can be recycled here too.
Advent calendars
If your household enjoys advent calendars, it’s important to know there’s a couple of things you should be able to recycle from them.
Any cardboard packaging can be recycled alongside your papers as long as it doesn’t contain glitter or plastic add-ons.
Unfortunately, most advent calendars will have a plastic tray inside, but you should be able to recycle this with your other plastics.
A great way to avoid plastic altogether is to be creative and try making your own advent calendar.
There’s many different ways of making your own advent calendar. A quick googling of the subject brings up countless ways of tackling this, from straightforward methods to more challenging ones.
If you do try it, stick to purely recyclable materials when making your calendar. Many of the guides require just cardboard, scissors, glue and colouring pens (not glitter ones) and still look fantastic whilst being fully recyclable.
If you don’t have time to make your own, you could even look into buying a reusable advent calendar. Many companies now sell calendars made from wood or fabric, which are great to use over-and-over again 🙂
Clean foil
Most of you are probably aware by now that clean foil can be recycled in your green box/middle wheelie box, but at Christmas you’ll perhaps be using more foil than normal.
For example, the foil cases from any mince pies you have can be recycled, as can the foil you get with any chocolate coins you have.
Although these both seem like quite small things, many of us will have them over Christmas so if we can all recycle them it will make a difference.
Aerosols
Let us guess…Lynx Africa again was it? Fragrances are a common Christmas gift so if you are given any just make sure you recycle your empty aerosols in your green box/middle wheelie box when you’re finished with them.
Christmas cards and envelopes
Christmas cards (without glitter and any bows removed) as well as their envelopes can be recycled with the rest of your paper. Paper and card gift bags can be recycled here too – just remember to remove any non-recyclable handles.
Wrapping paper
Not all types of wrapping papers are recyclable. The shiny foil wrapping is non-recyclable, so please stay away from this. Wrapping with glitter is also non-recyclable.
Most other shiny wrapping papers are laminated, making them non-recyclable too. You also need to look out if the paper has any plastic add-ons and avoid these.
The good news is all other wrapping papers should be fine to recycle. If you stay away from foils, glitters, laminated paper and any plastic add-ons, you should be able to recycle all your wrapping paper when you’ve finished with it…just make sure to remove any sticky tape beforehand.
Bottles and cans
You’ll probably have more glass bottles, plastic bottles and aluminium cans than usual at Christmas but please remember to recycle them the same as you would for the rest of the year.
Glass jars (from cranberry sauce etc) can be handy for storing any bits and pieces around the house, so maybe think if you can make use of these before you recycle them.
If your recycling boxes get full, you can leave any extra recyclables in solid containers next to your other recycling on your collection day and we’ll recycle the materials (leaving the containers behind for you to reuse again).
But if you do have extra recycling, please separate the materials as you usually would…for example, if you have extra plastic bottles and glass, please put the plastic in one container and the glass in a separate container.
Christmas trees
Real Christmas trees (non-artificial) can be chopped up into pieces and placed in your garden waste bins, or can be taken to any of our three household recycling centres to be recycled.
Faulty Christmas lights
Old/faulty Christmas lights can be taken to any of the three household recycling centres to be recycled. One of our attendants will be able to point you in the right direction.
You should never try under any circumstances to dispose of electrical items in your general waste!
Other electrical items
Don’t forget, all types of electrical items can be recycled at our recycling centres.
Have you had a phone upgrade for Christmas and aren’t sure what to do with your old one? First think whether someone else could reuse it – you could give it to a friend or even sell it on. If reusing the phone isn’t an option though you can bring it to one of the recycling centres for us to recycle.
Batteries
If you have a young family, you may see lots of batteries across Christmas too. You can recycle all types of batteries at the three recycling centres in Wrexham – even car batteries!
But if it’s just your everyday household batteries you’re looking to recycle, and if it’s more convenient for you, you should have the option to recycle them at a local shop too.
That’s because since February 2010, shops who sell more than 32kg of batteries a year (approx. 345 x four-packs of AA batteries) have to provide battery recycling facilities in-store…so all the larger supermarkets and retailers provide these.
Reusing items
Decorative bows and ribbons are non-recyclable, so if you use any of these please consider storing them away and reusing them the following year.
If someone surprises you with a new TV or Blu-ray player, please think about what to do with your older models. The Nightingale House reuse shop in Bryn Lane recycling centre would be happy to take them off your hands.
You can also donate any unwanted Christmas gifts to the reuse shop. We’re sure they’d be very grateful.
Bin collections over the festive period – Wrexham Council News
When are my bins collected? Check your bin day and sign up for reminders.
