As the Christmas festivities wind down, households across the UK are confronted with the annual challenge of disposing of seasonal waste. Mountains of cardboard, used wrapping paper, and stacks of Christmas cards can make post-Christmas tidying a daunting prospect.
Bin Collections Resume with a Vital Message
Thankfully, refuse collection services are returning to normal schedules after the Christmas break, ready to clear the festive debris. However, one bin worker is urging the public to think carefully before they throw anything away, to ensure recyclable materials don't end up in landfill.
Danny, a bin man working for St Helens Council, has taken to social media to spread essential guidance. Using the council's official TikTok account, he posted a 'what goes where, Christmas edition' guide. "Recycling and waste collections start up again tomorrow after a short Christmas break... so make sure you're putting things in the right bins/bags!" he advised.
Navigating the Festive Recycling Rules
In his guide, Danny outlined some key directives for his local area. He stated that wrapping paper, gift bags, and Christmas cards should go into the brown bin (for non-recyclable waste), while flattened cardboard belongs in the green bag for recycling.
He and commenters were quick to note a crucial caveat: bin colours and rules vary significantly by local authority. Some councils use brown bins for garden waste, and many do accept certain festive items for recycling. This makes checking your local council's specific guidelines absolutely essential.
According to the national resource Recycle Now, paper-based greeting cards and envelopes can usually be recycled at home or at local points. However, cards with glitter, foil, badges, or batteries cannot be recycled and must be disposed of with general waste.
The Handy 'Scrunch Test' for Wrapping Paper
For wrapping paper, Recycle Now recommends a simple 'scrunch test': if the paper scrunches into a ball, it can typically be recycled. If it springs back, it likely contains plastic or foil and cannot be recycled. Before recycling any paper, all sticky tape, ribbons, and bows must be removed.
Similarly, gift bags without metallic or glittery finishes can often be recycled. If parts are decorated, those sections should be torn off and placed in the general waste bin first.
Waste experts like Forge Recycling confirm that many local authorities do accept these items in mixed recycling bins. To avoid confusion, the best course of action is to use the Recycle Now 'Checker' tool online, which provides tailored advice based on your postcode and local council rules.
With collection days often altered during the Christmas week, residents are also reminded to verify their next collection date on their local borough council's website. Taking a few extra moments to sort waste correctly can make a significant difference to the UK's recycling efforts this holiday season.
