Don't give to landfill this Christmas, Rangers reminds residents

Each year, the nation produces and discards around 30% more rubbish during the festive period when compared with the rest of the year. However, this could be reduced dramatically by something as easy as recycling as much as possible.

Items that can go into your green bin include glass jars and bottles, plastic food pots, tubs and food trays, aluminium foil and foil trays, juice and soup cartons. The only requirement is that these items are clean, dry and unbagged. You can also recycle Christmas cards, envelopes and wrapping paper.

However, not everything can be put into your recycling bin, including nappies, clothing, food waste, electricals, and some wrapping paper. To discover which wrapping paper can be recycled, simply carry out the "Scrunch Test". After removing any sticky tape or labels, scrunch the wrapping paper into a ball. If it holds its shape, then it's ok to recycle.

As well as recycling, waste can be reduced by people choosing gifts with no packaging, using up leftover food and reusing wrapping materials.

Refuse collections days will differ slightly over the festive period, meaning some collections will be earlier and some later. We ask that you carefully check your revised collection day and make sure your bin is presented by 6.30 am that day. You can visit the council's rubbish and recycling information if you need the list of revised collections dates and a quick reminder of what can and can't be recycled.

Cllr Paul Wells, chairman of the environment committee, said: "Whilst Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year, it is also the most wasteful. As it draws closer, we'd like to remind residents to have a green Christmas this year by recycling as much as possible and finding greener alternatives for wrapping paper and cards."