Sussex Christmas Waste: What Can Be Recycled And Where

East Sussex County Council and Chichester District Council are reminding residents what can be recycled and where, as large amounts of wrapping paper and packaging are set to be discarded.

Chichester District Council

Councillor Mark Chilton, Cabinet Member for Finance, Corporate Services and Contract Services at Chichester District Council, said:

“Waste levels tend to increase over the Christmas period, so we are keen to encourage residents to recycle as much as possible and help reduce their environmental impact while still enjoying the festive season.”

 “When you’re unwrapping your presents this Christmas, please remember that cardboard boxes; packaging; wrapping paper; Christmas cards; and, envelopes, can all be recycled.”

“The packaging from our favourite festive food and drink products, such as plastic confectionary tubs, meat trays, packaging and wrapping, foil mince pie cases, glass bottles and jars, can all be placed in your burgundy recycling bin.

“So that we recycle as much as possible, you can help by making sure your recycling is clean, so free from food and drink leftovers (a quick rinse off / out will often do); dry, by keep your recycling bin lid shut (soggy paper and cardboard cannot be recycled and can stick to other items or and can clog up the sorting machinery); and, loose, so not tied up in plastic bags."

If you have extra recycling that you can’t fit into your recycling bin, keep it dry and place it in a loosely tied black sack next to your recycling bin on your collection day. Excess cardboard should be flattened and folded or cut down to a manageable size for a single crew member to handle. 

“We also want to highlight and make people aware of items that unfortunately cannot be recycled. These items include: shiny or metallic wrapping paper; bubble wrap; polystyrene; ribbons and bows; and, plastic film and wrapping. If you need to dispose of these, please make sure they are placed in your black waste bin or re-use where possible.” 

Residents can dispose of their real Christmas trees by using the St Wilfrid’s Hospice Treecycling scheme, which will run from 12–15 January 2024.

“Following the success of the scheme in recent years, we are pleased to be promoting St Wilfrid’s Hospice’s Christmas tree recycling scheme so that as many Christmas trees are recycled as possible, while supporting a wonderful local cause,” adds Cllr Chilton. 

"If you buy a real tree this year, and you’re not signed up to our Garden Recycling Service, please consider using the hospice’s pick-up service and kindly make a donation to the charity – their friendly team of volunteers will collect your tree and ensure it is recycled through the Woodhorn Group at Tangmere. By taking part you’ll be helping to raise vital funds for a local charity close to our hearts and helping reduce your environmental impact this Christmas.”

People can find out about the scheme by visiting www.stwh.co.uk/events/treecycle-2024/ or calling: 01243 775302.

The council is also reminding people that recycling and waste collection dates will be altering over the Christmas period. Residents can view their personal collection dates at: www.chichester.gov.uk/checkyourbinday

East Sussex 

Across East Sussex residents recycle 41 per cent of their waste but items that are incorrectly disposed of in household recycling bins can result in whole lorry-loads of recycling that is unable to be recycled.

The wrong items seen most often in recycling bins are food, nappies, black bags and textiles.

Many Christmas items can be recycled including Christmas cards, envelopes, gift packaging and scrunchable wrapping paper. Any glitter, ribbons, bows or sticky tape should be removed first.

Clean, foil food packaging such as mince pie cases can also be recycled, along with plastic and glass bottles.

With over 189 million batteries used over the Christmas period, the council is also reminding people to ensure they recycle batteries responsibly.

Many interactive toys and gadgets, as well as small household appliances, contain batteries. Batteries or items with integrated batteries should never be placed in household wheelie bins.

Batteries that are incorrectly disposed of can explode or ignite after being compacted, punctured, soaked in liquid or exposed to heat at waste sites or on collection vehicles.

In East Sussex, households in Rother, Wealden and Hastings can dispose of their batteries and other small electrical items at the kerbside by placing them in separate carrier bags on top of their recycling or rubbish bin. 

Residents in Eastbourne and Lewes can visit www.recycleyourelectricals.org.ukto find their local recycling point for electricals and batteries which will include local supermarkets and electrical retailers.

Cllr Claire Dowling, lead member for transport and environment, said:

“With extra waste generated during the festive season from online shopping packaging, food containers, and Christmas cards and wrapping paper, it is important to ensure we recycle as much as possible.

“By putting the right items in the right bin over the Christmas period residents can help us recycle more waste, reduce costs and help the environment.

“And to help make sure your recycling is as clean as possible, please remember to wash pots, tubs, bottles and jars before recycling them. Items don’t have to be perfectly clean, just a quick rinse in the washing up water is enough.”

Recycling and waste collection services in East Sussex are provided by the local district and borough councils. East Sussex County Council is responsible for the disposal, recovery and recycling of the collected material.

For more information on household rubbish and recycling collections and contact information for local councils, visit www.eastsussex.gov.uk/rubbish-recycling/rubbish-collection