Aylesbury residents asked to reduce and recycle this Christmas

To help prevent a season of waste, Buckinghamshire Council is asking its recycling-savvy residents to reduce, reuse and recycle this festive period.

From food to gift shopping, the increase in consumption over the festive season will result in Buckinghamshire Council collecting almost a third more household waste over December and January than at any other time of the year. The numbers associated with festive season waste are staggering; over one billion cards will be sent, 227,000 miles of wrapping paper used, and 17.2 million sprouts thrown in the bin.

To help prevent a season of waste, take a look at these three easy tips which can help residents celebrate sustainably this year:

1. Spread festive cheer online: E-cards and e-vouchers can brighten a loved one’s day, without generating any waste. Residents can purchase them online from the safety of their home and avoid unnecessary paper waste whilst sending (virtual) merriness.

2. Order online in one go: If you are buying physical presents online or treating yourself in the Boxing Day/January sales, try and plan to make one delivery per store. This will reduce packaging waste, some of which like bubble wrap and polystyrene cannot be recycled. It will also reduce the number of vehicles on the road, easing traffic congestion and decreasing the amount of harmful emissions that have a detrimental effect on air quality.

3. Plan your feast: 70% of us readily admit that we buy far more food than we need over the festive period. Don’t add to the mountains of food waste unnecessarily generated at this time of year and only buy for those you are sharing the day with.

Preventing unnecessary waste over the festive period is essential to reducing Buckinghamshire’s environmental impact. However, where waste is unavoidable, residents are encouraged to make the most of Buckinghamshire Council’s recycling service. At a time when homes are likely to be overflowing with wrapping paper, cardboard boxes and empty bottles of festive fizz, please help reduce your waste and find out what can and cannot be recycled by visiting our online Waste Wizard.

Buckinghamshire Council’s Cabinet Member for Environment and Climate Change, Cllr Bill Chapple OBE, said:

“With the giving and receiving of presents and many families looking forward to spending time with loved ones – whether that’s virtually or as part of a Christmas bubble – the festive season is a vital time to make sure we are all playing our part to reduce, reuse and recycle. Buckinghamshire is full of great recyclers, so please keep up the good work this December and into the new year too. And of course, Merry Christmas!

“I would like to extend a thank you to all of our hardworking Buckinghamshire Council, Veolia UK and Biffa collection crews, as well as the teams at the Household Recycling Centres, who will continue to work over the Christmas holidays to collect our recycling and waste. Please remember to check the revised schedule for your collections over the festive period.”

For further information on local recycling and waste services, including any changes to your collection days over the festive period, take a look at our guidance on Recycling and Waste this Christmas.