Christmas information

With so much waste being produced over the festive period, it is important to make eco-friendly choices on how to manage waste. 

See our hints and tips listed below to help you reduce your carbon footprint.

Changes to waste collection dates

There will be some changes to collections due to the Christmas and New Year bank holidays, please see our revised collection days page for these changes.

Help us to keep the city clean and tidy by only putting your recycling and waste out on your collection day.

Recycling and waste services

Paper and card box

To find out whether your wrapping paper can go in the paper and card box, do the scrunch test. If the paper stays in a ball after being scrunched up, it can be recycled.

Foil wrapping or paper that has glitter on, cannot be recycled.

Please try and remove tape, ribbon and bows before recycling.

For more information on what can go into the paper and card box, see our paper and card collection pages.

Food waste bin

All left over food (once removed from packaging) can go in your food bin.

Unopened boxes of chocolates, biscuits etc. can be regifted or given to charity.

To reduce your food waste, only buy what you need for the Christmas period, sticking to portion size per person.

Buffets are a great way to reduce food waste. Any leftovers can go in the fridge to eat the following day.

For more information on what can go into the food waste collection bin, see our food waste collection pages.

Pink bag

• glass and plastic bottles
• plastic cork
• plastic and metal tubs and pots (sweets and biscuits)
• plastic packaging

For more information on what can go into the pink recycling sack, see our Pink Sack recycling pages.

Black bag

• natural cork
• crisp packets
• bows, ribbons, and sticky tape
• foil wrapping paper
• wrapping paper with glitter on
• anything that cannot be recycled

For more information on what can go into the black rubbish sack, see our black rubbish sack pages.

Home composting

If you have a compost heap at home, all fruits and veggies can go in here.
Furthermore, natural cork can also go in your home compost heap, or when chopped into small pieces, it can be used as mulch on plants.

Household Waste Recycling Centre opening times

Please visit the following page to find out the opening days and times for both Household Waste Recycling Centres over the Christmas and New Year period: Christmas Opening Times