Can you recycle Christmas decorations and wrapping paper?

Most people recycle during Christmas with the best intentions but are we doing it right? To help clear up what can and can't be recycled we have composed a list to guide you towards an ocean friendly Christmas!

1. WRAPPING PAPER

Depending on the composition of wrapping paper and the amount of sticky tape and embellishments that cause problems at recycling plants, some local authorities do not accept wrapping paper for recycling. So what kind of gift wrap can you recycle in Ireland? The majority of wrapping paper is composed of light card or printed paper, but shiny metallic wrapping paper is made of plastic film.

Gift -wrap made of paper and light card can go straight into the household recycling bin as long as it is clean and dry. Metallic shiny paper cannot. To tell the difference, try to tear the paper, if it does not rip and needs to be cut with a scissors then it cannot be recycled.

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2. CARDBOARD

Goods ordered online this Christmas, is likely to deliver your items in boxes or envelopes made from corrugated cardboard which is widely recycled by local authorities.

3. BATTERIES
Did batteries run out in your fairy lights or other decorations and now you are wondering of how best to dispose of them? New toys and gadgets mean more batteries to recycle. Some local authorities collect batteries bagged separately with household recycling but there are also many battery recycling points in shops around town.

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4. CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTS

Fairy lights can be recycled at household waste recycling centres. Some local authorities collect small electricals as part of their recycling collections and may also provide collection bins at other sites too, e.g. at supermarkets.

5.CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS

If your tinsel and glass or plastic baubles have broken then they need to be disposed of carefully in the general waste. Other items such as lights and wreaths can be recycled.

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Natural parts of Christmas decorations, such as ivy and holly, can be recycled with green or garden waste, once artificial elements such as bows and glitter have been removed.

6. CHRISTMAS CARDS

Most cards are paper based and can be recycled, along with their envelopes, either in your home recycling collection, at local recycling points such as household waste recycling centres or at banks in supermarket car parks etc.

7. CHRISTMAS TREES

'Real' Christmas trees can be recycled and turned into chippings. Some local authorities have special collections or organise drop-off points. Otherwise they can be taken to your household waste recycling centre.

8. CHRISTMAS DINNER

9. OLD TOYS
Toys with computer chips, computer screens, lights, noise, plugs, batteries or other electronic components can and should be recycled. They should not be added to the domestic waste.

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Recycle IT offer a collection and drop off services and will accept electrical and electronic toys including games consoles, cameras, tablets, remote control cars or planes, dolls, action figures, watches, ect..any toy with a plug or battery is acceptable for recycling. You can also donate old toys to charities such as "Simon Community" or "St. Vincent de Paul".

10. RECYCLING IS NOT JUST FOR CHRISTMAS
Recycling should be done all year round, with the rate of plastics being produced and consumed scientists have predicted that there will be more plastic in the oceans than fish by 2020, recycling may not be enough but it is the minimum standard that should be achieved if we want a healthy planet for future generations.

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Reduce your consumption of plastics for 2019, buy a stainless steel flask and cut down on using plastic bottles, bring a reusable bag shopping and try to buy food and products with minimal packaging.