Over the Christmas period we create 30% more waste. Worcestershire County Council is encouraging residents to think about the waste they are producing this year and how it can be reduced or recycled.

Did you know that in the UK during the Christmas period we will get through 750 million bottles and 500 million drinks cans? Add to that six million Christmas trees and one billion Christmas cards and that is a huge amount of waste being produced.

Councillor Tony Miller, Worcestershire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Environment, said: “Every year we see a rise in the amount of waste being produced at Christmas. Decorations such as plastic and glass baubles, waste from toys and other gift packaging significantly increase the amount of household waste generated.

We are asking residents to think twice about waste when purchasing food and gifts this  Christmas. I’d also like to encourage people to make sure they are recycling the correct items, if you’re unsure which bin items can go in, visit our Let’s Waste Less website for more information. Finally, I would like to wish everybody a safe and happy Christmas and a prosperous new year.”

Ideas to consider when recycling

• your empty plastic tubs of Christmas treats can all be placed in your green bin for recycling
•  lots of gift wrapping is non-recyclable. To find out which bin to put it in do the “scrunch test”, scrunch a piece of paper in your hand, if it stays scrunched then it can be recycled and placed in your green bin
• instead of physical Christmas cards, consider giving e-cards or send a video message
• take your real Christmas tree to the Household Recycling Centre and place it in the garden waste container or even better if it has roots, plant it in your garden for use next year

For further information on reducing your waste and where to recycle or reuse any additional Christmas waste, please visit the Let's Waste Less website.