Recycle your Christmas waste, urges the council
Published 4 January 2012
Residents in the borough are being encouraged to think about recycling this week, as they get to grips with their festive waste.
Around six million Christmas trees are sold in the UK every year; and unfortunately many of these are still simply thrown away when the festive season is over.
What is more, the amount of wrapping paper thrown away in the UK each Christmas could stretch to the moon if each sheet was laid end to end. We also throw out 4,500 tonnes of tin foil and 13,350 tonnes of glass bottles and jars.
Southwark Council and recycling and waste partners, Veolia Environmental Services, are urging residents to do their bit to reduce the mountain of festive waste by recycling as much as possible.
Councillor Barrie Hargrove, cabinet member for transport, environment and recycling at Southwark Council, said:
"This week we're all busy taking down decorations, cards and the tree, and dealing with all that wrapping. I'd strongly urge everyone to think about what they can reuse, and what they can recycle, before putting it all in the rubbish bin."
Real Christmas trees
Can be recycled along with garden waste collections, collected as bulky waste or brought to special tree recycling points in: Belair, Peckham Rye, and Southwark Parks, as well as the recycling and reuse centre located at Southwark's new waste management facility at 43 Devon Street, off Old Kent Road. Residents are reminded to remove pots and decorations. Also see Recycle your own Christmas tree.
Christmas cards and wrapping paper
Are mostly recyclable and should be included with household recycling collections whether blue boxes, clear bags or communal recycling bins. Please note plastic coated or metallic wrapping paper cannot be recycled and should be put in the normal rubbish bin.
Tin foil, tins, glass bottles and jars
Are all recyclable. At Christmas and New Year, there are lots of special items such as sweet tins and cranberry sauce jars that can all be recycled and residents are urged to look out for these and ensure they don't find their way into the rubbish bin. Clean tin foil can be also included with household recycling.
