Local authorities ranging from Hillingdon in London to Kettering and Derbyshire are providing advice on how to cut down on the 30% extra waste they are likely to produce and recycle items such as wrapping paper, vegetable peelings and Christmas trees.
The move comes after some nervousness over public confidence in recycling following what some people see as unjustifiably critical articles in the national press (see letsrecycle.com story) and turbulence in the markets for recovered materials (see letsrecycle.com story).
In Cherwell in Oxfordshire, householders are being offered tips on how to reduce waste, including buying gifts made of recycled material, sending e-cards and using up leftovers.
Cherwell's portfolio holder for community, health and environment, councillor George Reynolds, said: “Thanks to the efforts of our residents, Cherwell has had another great recycling year. One more big push on recycling amidst the fun and festivities at Christmas can make a real difference to our environment.”
Rhondda Cynon Taf council in Wales, meanwhile, is one of many local authorities to offer Christmas tree recycling points – in this case at local supermarkets – where residents can also recycle wrapping paper and cards.
In Sandwell, the council is going one step further and encouraging residents to buy rooted trees that can be planted in the garden and reused the following year. It is also encouraging people to compost their vegetable waste in free compost bins provided by the council.
Cabinet member for neighbourhoods & housing Cllr Mahboob Hussain said: “Sandwell Council continually supports sustainability and recycling, and especially so at this time of year. I urge residents to consider buying rooted real trees or reusing artificial trees this Christmas.”
Waste firms
Alongside councils, waste management firms have also entered into the Christmas spirit.
In Sheffield, contractor Veolia Environmental Services is donating money to the Sheffield Children's Hospital for all the extra recyclables collected over the Christmas and New Year period. The initiative is in its fourth year and aims to tackle the 30% extra waste generated over the holidays.
Judith Turner, director of operations, collection and recycling for Veolia Environmental Services said: “At this time of year, a huge amount of waste is simply thrown away when it could be recycled. Over the past three years we have helped raise nearly £12,000 for the Children's Hospital by recycling at Christmas so let's make a green resolution today to recycle as much as possible over the Christmas period and throughout 2009!”
Ashley Cooper, managing director of Premier Waste's disposal division, said: “There is a very great need for second hand bikes, whether it be as affordable bikes in the North East or for vital work in Africa. This is such a simple way for us all to help out some of the most deprived people in the World, and really demonstrates that one man's trash is another's treasure.”
Recycle Now
Alongside local initiatives, WRAP's Recycle Now website is offering advice on cutting waste and recycling Christmas trees, cards and wrapping paper. One tip this year is to wrap presents in scarves rather than disposable paper.
It also advises that shiny wrapping paper, which is difficult to recycle, should be reused.
From January 2 to January 31 the Woodland Trust is also running its annual Christmas card recycling scheme, which sees cards collected for recycling by WH Smith, Tesco, TK Maxx and Marks & Spencer for recycling. The scheme generates recycling credits which are then used to plant new woodland in the UK. The scheme enabled 73.6 million cards to be recycled in 2008.
The Woodland Trust said: “If everyone recycles just one Christmas card at WHSmith, Tesco, TK Maxx or Marks & Spencer stores throughout January, the Woodland Trust will be able to plant 15,000 trees to create UK woodland.”
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