Did you know Wales is currently the world’s second-best recycling nation? That’s pretty awesome! But we’re not stopping there - we’re aiming for gold and we need your help. This Christmas, join our mighty mission to boost Wales to No.1.
Christmas is a time of joy and celebration, but it’s also when we create the most waste - from festive feasts, to piles of packaging and wrapping paper. This year, let’s make the most of every opportunity to recycle, reuse and reduce waste.
Here’s your quick guide to recycling 12 common Christmas items the right way!
1. Conquer your cardboard packaging
Christmas means lots of gifts, and lots of gifts mean a mountain of cardboard boxes! With 95% of people in Wales already recycling cardboard, let’s step it up by removing and packaging tape, flattening boxes and cutting them into smaller pieces to save space. Try to also keep cardboard dry so it stays in prime recycling shape.
2. Give the planet a gift – Recycle (or reuse) those chocolate tubs and tins
Finished with all those chocolate and sweet tubs? They’re totally recyclable! In fact, over 90% of us in Wales already recycle tubs, but why not also give them a second life? Try refilling them with more treats, organising small household items, or even turning them into fun storage for kids' toys.
3. Eat, recycle and be merry
Christmas is a time of feasting, but food waste is a huge issue. A whopping quarter of the average rubbish bin is made up of food and over 80% of that could have been eaten.
To avoid wasting food and money, try planning ahead before your big shop and turn leftovers into delicious next day dishes. Whatever can’t be eaten – like turkey bones, fruit and veg peelings, tea bags and eggshells – pop them into your food caddy so they can be recycled into renewable energy. Just one recycled caddy full of food waste could power a TV for long enough to watch Home Alone!
4. Don’t fail on foil
Did you know metal items like foil can be recycled again and again without losing quality? As you prep your festive meals or tuck into your mince pies, recycle any clean foil, including mince pie cases. Give foil a quick rinse to remove any food, grease or oil, and scrunch it up into a ball to help it through the recycling sorting process without getting lost.
5. Have yourself a cleaner, greener Christmas - recycle your toiletry bottles and aerosols
As you’re getting ready for your Christmas parties, events and celebrations, don’t forget to recycle any empty toiletry bottles and aerosols – like plastic shampoo and handwash bottles, and hairspray, deodorant and shaving foam metal aerosols. Leave on any lids, labels, pouring spouts and spray triggers, these will be removed in the recycling process, but remove any pumps from toiletry bottles and put these in your bag or bin for non-recyclable waste, and make sure aerosols are empty. Most of us recycle our toiletry bottles and aerosols, so join the effort to make Christmas greener and cleaner.
6. The wrap on wrapping paper
Not all wrapping paper is recyclable. Some types have high ink content or contain a layer of metal or plastic that can’t be separated from the paper. Some paper can also be very thin, which means its quality is not good enough to be recycled and sticky tape also makes it non-recyclable. To avoid waste, try saving wrapping paper that’s in good condition for next year, or get creative with eco-friendly wrapping alternatives like newspaper, fabric wraps or a gift bag.
7. Recycle your Christmas cards and envelopes
Most Christmas cards can be recycled in your container or bag for cardboard or paper – just remember to remove any glitter, ribbons, bows and foil. You could also keep cards to create your own next year!
8. Give household electricals a second life
Got broken Christmas lights or a blender that’s stopped working? Take them to a local Repair Café Wales event where the skilled volunteers may be able to revive them! If they’re truly beyond repair, take them to your local recycling centre.
Remember, any item with a plug or that uses batteries is classified as Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) and can be recycled instead of binned.
9. Don’t forget small electrical devices
If you have old gadgets that are truly at the end of their life, they can be recycled too. Take them to your local recycling centre or recycle them from home if your local Council collects small electrical items.
10. Give your batteries a second chance
All those new holiday gadgets mean lots of batteries to dispose of! Used batteries can be recycled, and some councils collect them from home, or you can drop them off at recycling points in many shops and supermarkets. You could also opt for re-chargeable barrerites that can be used again and again, reducing the amount of waste created.
11. Breathe new life into your old clothes
If you’re clearing out your wardrobe after receiving new clothes, remember that no clothes should end up in the bin. Items in good condition can be sold or donated, and worn-out pieces can be taken to a textile recycling bank or even upcycled into something unique and wonderful!
12. Recycle your Christmas tree – Real or artificial
When it’s time to take down your Christmas tree, be sure to dispose of it responsibly. Real trees are 100% recyclable and can be turned into chippings for parks. Drop them at a recycling centre or check if your Council collects them, if you receive a garden waste collections service. If you’re ready to part with an artificial tree in good condition, consider donating it to give it another life!
