A sanitation worker has delivered a crucial message to homeowners about discarding Christmas wrapping paper, cards, and gift bags this season.
While the joy of unwrapping gifts with family on Christmas Day is unmatched, the post-celebration cleanup is often less enjoyable. Amidst living rooms strewn with wrapping paper and gift bags, many individuals tend to gather everything up and toss it into the recycling bin.
However, what some may not realize is that not all festive gift packaging is recyclable. The holiday period is a peak time for waste collection teams, underscoring the importance of residents correctly disposing of materials to avoid complicating the process.
A waste collector from St Helens Borough Council has urged residents to be careful when recycling Christmas wrapping paper, cards, and gift bags. In a video shared on the council’s TikTok account, Danny emphasized, “Do you know what items belong in which bin during the festive season? Wrapping paper, gift bags, and Christmas cards CANNOT be placed in your green or blue recycling bags in St Helens borough.”
Responding to a viewer’s query about why these items are not recyclable, the sanitation worker explained, “Most contain foil, plastic, glitter, and glue – so please place them in your brown general waste bin. If it’s just plain brown paper, then it is acceptable. Each council has its own guidelines, so it’s advisable to consult with your local council.”
Experts from Kingfisher Direct are encouraging people to assess the recyclability of their Christmas wrapping paper. Ryanvir Kaila from Kingfisher Direct has outlined a simple three-step method to determine the recyclability of wrapping paper.
Step 1: Crumple the wrapping paper into a ball.
Step 2: Unwrap the crumpled paper.
Step 3: If the paper stays crumpled, it is recyclable.
Ryan stresses, “It is crucial to remember that wrapping paper containing glitter, foil, or adhesive cannot be recycled, regardless of its crumpling properties.”
He also recommends reusing wrapping paper whenever possible. “If your wrapping paper remains intact without tears and minimal creases, it can be reused for another gift. Reusing wrapping paper is a smart practice as it not only saves money on purchasing new paper but also reduces the amount of discarded wrapping paper,” he advises.
Manchester council has shared its guidelines on recycling wrapping paper and greeting cards on its website. The council advises, “Most greeting cards and wrapping paper can be recycled in your blue paper and card bin. Alternatively, you can recycle them at your local tip or recycling center.”
However, certain considerations need to be taken into account.