Christmas recycling warning

With less than two weeks to go until Christmas, islanders are being reminded that Christmas wrapping paper cannot be recycled this year.

Jersey sends its waste paper to a UK-based paper recycling company for recycling. However, the supplier is not accepting Christmas wrapping paper again this year because it tends to be very low-quality, often contains glitter, and may have a high metallic content. Christmas paper also tends to contain non-recyclable materials, like leftover sticky tape.

Emma Richardson-Calladine, Recycling Manager, said: “In order for our waste paper to be recycled, each shipment needs to be high-quality and free from contamination. Because of the volume of low-quality Christmas paper we’re likely to receive over the festive period, we can’t recycle Christmas paper this year.”

“Eco-friendly wrapping materials are available. Brown paper or newspaper can be recycled along with other household materials, while cloth wrapping can be re-used once the present is opened.”

Any Christmas wrapping paper which cannot be recycled should be disposed of with household waste.

The Household Recycling Centre will be open as usual over the festive period, with the following exceptions: