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Islanders are being urged to ditch the shiny wrapping paper for an eco-friendly alternative this Christmas after it emerged that the usual rolls cannot be recycled this year.
The Environment Department says the UK company that deals with Jersey’s waste paper will not be accepting Christmas wrapping paper.
They said that Christmas wrapping is usually very low quality, often dyed, laminated and/or contains non-paper additives such as gold and silver-coloured shapes and plastics - none of which can be recycled. Left-over sticky tape, glitter and the high metallic content of some papers also make it unacceptable for recycling.
Islanders are therefore being asked to use eco-friendly alternatives, such as plain brown paper, which can be recycled along with household cardboard, Christmas cards and envelopes in the cardboard recycling tanks.
Pictured: Some elements in wrapping paper - glitter, plastics, metal - make it impossible to recycle.
Islanders should, however, make sure that there is no leftover sticky tape on the paper, otherwise it won't be able to be recycled.
Those who do use shiny wrapping paper are asked not to put it into recycling bins. It should be put into the regular one to be dealt with by the Energy from Waste plant. Christmas wrappings will not end up in landfill the Department has said.
Emma Richardson-Calladine, the island's Recycling Manager, said that while wrapping paper can’t be recycled, it doesn’t mean islanders have to recycle less over the holidays. "The amount we throw away tends to increase at Christmas but greeting cards and envelopes can still be recycled with your other household paper. Waste like glass and batteries shouldn’t be put in the rubbish bin."
Video: Every year, Jersey Hospice Care collects Christmas trees against donations.
As for Christmas trees, they can be recycled at the Household Green Waste Reception at La Collette, where they will be turned into soil improver.
Islanders can also contact Jersey Hospice Care who will be collecting trees from businesses on 3 and 4 January and homes on 5 and 6 January 2019 for a minimum donation of £10.
Last year, their eco scheme helped tree-liminate around 2,000 car journeys to the dump - and this year the charity are hoping to break that record.
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