Christmas is upon us and the council is gearing up to help residents have a green festive season.
Waste and recycling collections have been re-arranged to accommodate the upcoming public holidays. Some residents will have their bins collected a day earlier than normal while others will be picked up a day later.
All residents should have received a calendar or letter confirming their festive bin collection days which can also be checked at www.leeds.gov.uk/yourbinday.
Brown bin collections have now stopped and will resume in March 2014.
To help residents recycle extra waste created by gift wrapping, packaging and festive entertaining, the city’s eight recycling centres, including Holmewell Road in Middleton, will be open from 8am to 4pm throughout December. The sites are only closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day.
People can also donate or recycle unwanted gifts or items they are replacing at the sites. Each one has a re-use container where goods will be donated to local Leeds-based charities.
Glass bottles and jars can be recycled at local recycling sites and centres. The tops and caps can be left on bottles and jars when recycling them.
Real Christmas trees can be dropped off at recycling centres. The trees are composted.
A key part of festive planning is to reduce waste in the first place. You can save money and help cut harmful emissions by making the most of your festive food. For plenty of hints, tips, advice and recipes check out www.lovefoodhatewaste.com.
Even although it’s the midst of winter, you can still compost. Cardboard and paper hats from Christmas crackers make a great compost ingredient as do many other festive leftovers.
The council offers cut-price compost bins if you’re making a New Year’s resolution to recycle more. More information on the offer and how to compost is available at www.leeds.gov.uk.
Councillor Mark Dobson, executive member for the environment, said:
“With the sparkle and fun of the festive holiday period, many of us don’t give waste and recycling a second thought.
“But at a time of year when we can create more waste than normal, it’s even more important that we make the most of the available recycling services.”
Information on the full range of recycling services, bin collections and recycling centres can be found at www.leeds.gov.uk.
