Torridge District Council is encouraging residents to 'think before you buy' for a greener Christmas

Wrapping paper: A common misconception is that all wrapping paper and cards can be recycled.  However, due to the amount of energy needed to recover the paper fibres that make up metallic, shiny, and glittery wrapping papers, this material is often non-recyclable and will need to be placed in the black bag. For an environmentally alternative, try brown paper or fabric.

Tissue paper: Cannot be recycled so needs to go in your black bag.  Alternatively, consider saving it for future gifting.

Gift boxes and bags: Try to extend their life by re-using them.  Pre-decorated boxes with ribbons and glitter or anything containing foam or polystyrene, cannot be recycled.

Ribbons: Please avoid placing these in your recycling as they can tangle up machines at recycling facilities.  Either place them in your black bag or consider saving it for future gifts or crafts.

Christmas cards: Where possible, buy cards made from recycled paper and avoid foil or glitter cards.  Anything with bows or glitter, needs to go in your black bag - or turn them into gift tags for next year.  Plain cards should be placed in the brown bag.

Christmas crackers: Much like wrapping paper and cards, if Christmas crackers aren't too shiny or glittery then they can be pulled apart and the paper and cardboard elements can be recycled. Remember to recycle the paper hats and jokes too!

Christmas decorations: Make your own decorations if you can.  If you're buying a new set of Christmas lights, consider choosing solar powered or LED options to minimise the energy need to keep them twinkling.

Councillor Chris Leather, Lead Member for Operational Services, said:

"When it comes to wrapping, cards and decorating the message is 'use less, recycle more'.  A few simple steps can help to make a huge difference. We know that a lot of people buy wrapping paper and Christmas cards, unaware that they can't be recycled.  But by knowing what can and can't be recycled we can hopefully avoid less general waste at this time of year.  Anything that can't be recycled should be placed in the black waste bags, which are sent to an energy from waste plant where it is processed to generate electricity.

"Hopefully, by taking some of this advice on board, we can all reduce our carbon emissions over the festive period to help pave the way into a more sustainable new year  for everyone."