17 December 2018
The UK company that receives Jersey’s waste paper is not accepting Christmas wrapping paper this year, so islanders are being asked to use alternatives and not to place shiny wrapping paper into recycling bins. Christmas paper put into regular bins will be dealt with by the Energy from Waste plant, so will not end up in landfill.
Most Christmas wrapping is very low quality and can include materials like left-over sticky tape and glitter. Some wrappings also have a high metallic content, all of which are non-recyclable.
Customers who have yet to buy Christmas wrapping can choose eco-friendly papers, such as plain brown paper, which can be recycled along with household cardboard, Christmas cards and envelopes in the cardboard recycling tanks. Ensure that brown paper is free from any sticky tape.
Recycling Manager, Emma Richardson-Calladine, said: ‘Although Christmas wrapping paper can’t be recycled, that doesn’t mean you have to recycle less this Christmas. The amount we throw away tends to increase at Christmas but greeting cards and envelopes can still be recycled with your other household paper. Waste like glass and batteries shouldn’t be put in the rubbish bin.’
Christmas trees can still be recycled at the Household Green Waste Reception at La Collette, where they will be turned into soil improver.