These common Christmas recycling mistakes could result in a £400 fine
It's easy to get swept up in the magic of the festive season. But along with the joy of present giving, there's also the big clean-up after Christmas — and it's never been more critical to get it right and follow the right processes when it comes to recycling.
Gifting automatically generates a lot of waste from packaging, and there are specific guidelines on how to dispose of waste and ensure it's recycled correctly.
Those found not to be following these recycling rules correctly could be in for a hefty fine, with the largest penalty of £400.
Fines can be issued for incorrect recycling or leaving rubbish outside designated collection times can result in fines from as little as £50 up to £400.
Fines will vary depending on your area, but if you want to avoid any unnecessary penalties this festive season, these are some of the most common mistakes when it comes to recycling:
1. Recycling the wrong items
Placing the wrong items in the recycling bin can lead to fines that start at around £60 and increase to around £200. Check your local council's website if you're unsure which items are permitted in the recycling bin.
2. Overstuffed bins
A tricky one for those with a big family who generate a lot of rubbish, but overfilled bins or extra bags beside your bins can result in a fine, while in other cases, they simply won't take your rubbish. Make sure the lid fully closes to avoid any issues.
3. Fly-tipping
While the festive season might prompt a clear-out, leaving items outside your home and not in a bin can attract some big-ticket fines. Illegal dumping of waste can result in some of the biggest fines of up to £400 in some instances. Take a trip to your local disposal site before or after Christmas to avoid any surprise fines.
And it's also important to be aware of the commonly binned items that should be recycled. Recycle Now has recently released a list of items to be aware of this Christmas. They're asking shoppers to remember to recycle:
perfume/aftershave bottles
aerosols
toilet roll tubes
plastic trigger spray bottles
yoghurt pots
These items should still be recycled at Christmas, along with the many other items we use over the festive period.
Here are a few other Christmas items that should be recycled:
Christmas trees: If you go for a real tree, you can plant it in your garden or move it to a large pot and store it outside for next year. A Christmas tree can also be used for wood chips.
Cardboard: You can generally recycle cardboard packaging — but remove any plastic or polystyrene inserts and check that there are no stickers or sticky tape inside.
Christmas decorations: While a lot of decorations aren't recyclable, you can reuse them or donate them to charity shops.
Wrapping paper: You can generally recycle wrapping paper if it's made from paper — you can't recycle wrapping paper that contains glitter, foil, or plastic.
Other ways to reduce waste this Christmas
A few tweaks to your usual routine can help minimise waste and have a more eco-friendly Christmas.
Use newspaper and string, or brown paper from packaging for a retro and sustainable approach to wrapping.
Reuse old bottles and gift bags with a new tag to prevent buying more.
Consider experience gifts rather than more things. Swap plastic toys for a family day out you can all enjoy together instead.
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