
Try the scrunch test to see if all that wrapping paper can be recycled.
North Yorkshire's waste experts say that most wrapping paper is acceptable providing it passes the “scrunch” test. To do the test they say..
"squash the paper into a ball in your hand. If it keeps its ball shape, it can be recycled. If it bounces back, it cannot be recycled. Wrapping paper that doesn’t pass the scrunch test will have a high foil or plastic content, so would contaminate other recycling. Wrapping paper that can’t be recycled can be put in the general rubbish bin, from where it will be sent to the county’s Energy from Waste facility."
The 20 Household Waste Recycling Centres in North Yorkshire are closed on Christmas Day and Boxing Day. They reopen on Sunday and will be open every day except 25 and 26 December and 1 January and every Wednesday.
Opening times at this time of year are 8.30am to 4pm. Full details of current restrictions can be found at www.northyorks.gov.uk/household-waste-and-recycling-during-coronavirus-covid-19
As well as recycling wrapping paper there are a number of other Christmas leftovers that can be taken to the sites.
Real Christmas trees can go in the garden waste skips for composting. Glass jars, including empty cranberry jelly jars after Christmas dinner, can be recycled with glass bottles, regardless of the glass’s colour. Cardboard can be recycled. Just flatten it and remove any tape.
Household batteries can be recycled at HWRCs, as can broken Christmas lights. Anything with a plug or battery should not be put in a household bin. Batteries have caused fires in waste lorries and at waste facilities, so it is important that they are kept separate.
Good reusable toys can be donated to the Reuse Santa appeal within the reuse containers. Toys will go to the No Wrong Door campaign and other charities.
County Councillor Andrew Lee, Executive Member for Business and Environmental Services, said:
“Working together, the county council and Yorwaste are continuing to give residents the opportunity to recycle as much as they can over this Christmas period.”
Items that can be taken to the sites include: paper, cardboard, telephone directories, books, garden waste, glass, food and drink cans, foil, scrap metal, plastic bottles, textiles and clothes, batteries, fluorescent tubes, TVs and monitors, fridges and freezers, other appliances, furniture (including beds, mattresses, sofas and chairs), bric-a-brac, car batteries, used engine oil, tyres and wood.
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