Further information

Christmas cards

Send e-Christmas cards to completely minimise waste.

If you do send Christmas cards buy cards that are made from recycled paper.

Put Christmas cards that you receive into a collection box at one of the following shops: WH Smith, TK Maxx or Marks and Spencers. These will then be recycled by the Woodland Trust.

Cards can also be recycled in any of the ‘MW white’ paper banks located throughout the district at a number of recycling centres.

Better still, re-use your Christmas cards as gift tags for next year.

Envelopes and wrapping paper

Envelopes and wrapping paper (and cards) can be recycled at numerous mini recycling centres in South Norfolk (put them into the blue “Whites” paper container).

Better still, keep your wrapping paper and re-use it next year.

Christmas trees

Compost your real Christmas tree at any of Norfolk County Council’s Recycling Centres. There are sites in South Norfolk at Bergh Apton, Ketteringham, Morningthorpe and Wymondham.

If you have a South Norfolk Council garden waste bin and the tree will fit in it, the Council will collect it.

Holly and mistletoe can also be taken to a Recycling Centre or put into your brown bin.

Glass jars and bottles

Between 20% - 30% more glass is collected over Christmas - recycle your glass at your nearest mini-recycling centre. 

Reduce your food waste

The average family throws away a third of the food it buys each year - much of which could have been eaten.

Only buy the food you need this Christmas – buy ‘half price’ not ‘buy one get one free’.

Visit the Love Food Hate Waste website for further information on reducing your food waste, measuring out portions, planning your shopping and saving yourself money. You can also find delicious recipes and ideas for using up any leftovers you have.

Compost at home

Fruit and vegetable peelings, including peelings from your brussel sprouts, carrots, and potatoes from your Christmas lunch can be composted at home.

You can also put tea bags, coffee grounds, egg shells and shredded paper into a compost bin and generate your own compost for your garden.

Christmas shopping

• Take a re-useable shopping bag(s) with you when you go Christmas shopping for presents or groceries and don’t accept unnecessary additional bags.
• Buy recycled or environmentally sustainable gifts. There are numerous companies specialising in such products.
• Buy and use rechargeable batteries for any new toys or gadgets. If you have any old household batteries (such as AA), these can be recycled at any of the Norfolk County Council Household Waste Recycling Centres or at the new collection point at South Norfolk Council in Long Stratton.
• Take any old toys, games or clothes to charity shops or recycle them at the recycling banks located throughout the district.
• Try to avoid buying gifts that involve lots of packaging.
  

Recycle everything you can this Christmas!

• Cardboard, newspapers, plastic bottles, cans, tins and empty aerosols can go in your green recycling bin.
• Unwanted Christmas jumpers etc. can recycled at your nearest textile bank.
• Aluminum foil, tetrapak drinks cartons, and batteries can all be taken to any of Norfolk County Council’s Recycling Centres.

External links

Visit Recycle for Norfolk for further tips on how to have a green Happy Christmas.

About links to other websites.