Vicky Cranthorne M.A.R.L.A, Office Manager for iConn Property Management writes:

The local council have released some useful information for recycling over the Christmas period so that we all have a green Christmas……

Green Christmas

This year, like every other, we want to make sure that you not only have a great Christmas, but get rid of your Christmas waste on the appropriate day in the appropriate way. So please take note of the following points:

Check your calendar for your collection dates - some of them may have changed 

In bad weather conditions put your waste out on your usual day and leave it.  We will collect it soon as we can.

Garden Waste won’t be collected between 23 December 2011 and 09 January 2012 

Don’t forget we will collect your real Christmas tree for free – if you leave it out for collection on recycling day.  Place it next to your clear sacks not in the garden waste bin.

Old trees can be taken to the Household Waste Recycling Centres and placed in the green garden waste containers for composting. Your local council may also be able to take your real Christmas tree for composting if they provide a kerbside green garden waste collection service.

Alternatively, why not buy a Christmas tree in a pot or with a root that can be planted in the garden for use the following year! Some companies now also hire real Christmas trees which are re-planted after Christmas!

Recycle your Christmas cards and non foil wrapping paper in the clear recycling sack, or look out for one of the high street charity schemes.

Flatten and secure your cardboard boxes for collection.  These can be put out for collection next to your recycling sacks.

To clear space give unwanted clothes and toys to charity shops and clothing banks.

Recycle your glass bottles at the bottle banks and the Household Waste Recycling Centres

Think about what you buy and who you are buying for. We all like to put on the best Christmas Day spread for family and friends, but afterwards, without a bit of pre plannng, we can still be eating the brussel sprouts four days later!!

Make use of any left over food, visit http://www.lovefoodhatewaste.com/ for recipes and ideas.

Although our contractor can sort most plastics, many of them have a negative value and black plastic cannot be sorted at all, so please only give us your clear or opaque plastic bottles over the christmas period.

Remember you can take your unwanted plastic bags back to a major supermarket for recycling, they all now provide in-store banks.

If you are not sure about collections over the Christmas period, then please call Serco on 0800 031 9091.

Here’s hoping  you have a very happy Christmas.