Newark and Sherwood District Council is encouraging residents to think ‘Green’ this Christmas and make a conscious effort to reduce waste and recycle as much as possible.

In the New Year, the council is also starting its annual tree recycling campaign, where unwanted real trees will be collected for a £5 fee with the proceeds going towards new trees around the district.

Coun Roger Jackson, chairman of Newark and Sherwood District Council’s Leisure and Environment Committee, said: “We want everyone to enjoy the festive season but I’m asking our residents to please make sure you try to recycle your Christmas waste where possible.

“With such a large volume and variety of materials being disposed of during Christmas – and even more so throughout the pandemic – it is particularly important for residents to be aware of what can, and cannot be recycled.”

In the silver (recycling) bin:

Cardboard boxes – if they cannot fit in the bin, please fold them up and place next to the bin and our waste team will collect them. Alternatively, please place your extra recycling in them and we will take that too.
Empty drinks cans, food tins and aerosols – squash them down to create more space in your bin.
Wrapping paper – if the paper can be scrunched into a ball and it holds, it can be recycled. Please also remove ribbons, bows and other decoration.
Envelopes
Plastic bottles
Greetings cards without decorative glitter
Christmas TV guides, other paper and magazines

Common festive items that cannot be recycled:

Metallic and foil wrapping paper – if the paper will remain in a scrunched ball it can be recycled but if it springs back and unfolds, it cannot be recycled.
Metallic and glitter-decorated greetings cards
Plastic disposable plates
Paper plates – usually they have a plastic coating on them, or are contaminated with food.
Paper towels and kitchen roll – the cardboard tube can be recycled.
Plastic Christmas trees
Children’s toys and games – if they are in good condition please consider donating them to charity.
Tinsel
Kitchen foil, foil trays and mince pie cases
Food
Christmas lights and fairy lights
Plastic inserts that come with toys
Polystyrene and bubble wrap
Christmas baubles
Plastic and metal chocolate tins
Christmas jumpers – no clothing or textiles can be put in the silver bin.

Other tips:

Wine bottles, beer bottles and glass jars – take to your nearest bottle bank.

Batteries – put in a plastic bag and put on top of your green bin and we will recycle them.

Natural Christmas trees – place in your brown garden bin if you have one or take to the recycling centre. Alternatively, our waste team can collect this from you for a £5 fee. Book your collection here:

Broken, unwanted Christmas lights or other electricals can be recycled at your local recycling centres.
To avoid excess food waste, visit the Love Food Hate Waste website for ideas for using up leftovers, tips on food storage and preparing correct portion sizes.
Keep Christmas cards and re-use them next year as gift tags.
Natural Christmas wreaths – can be put in garden bin if not held together with any wire/metal/glue.
Donate good condition old or unwanted items to charity.

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