Christmas in Wiltshire is a heartfelt time for gathering with friends and family, sharing special meals, and enjoying long-held traditions. But as joy and generosity fill our homes, so do extra piles of wrapping paper, empty bottles, food scraps, and the inevitable tangle of old decorations. Managing all this festive waste can be daunting—especially with overflowing bins and changing collection times—but with a little know-how, it’s possible to celebrate sustainably without losing any of the magic.
The run-up to Christmas and New Year brings a predictable spike in household waste across Wiltshire. Typical increases include:
– Wrapping paper and packaging from gifts and deliveries
– Cardboard boxes in all shapes and sizes
– Christmas cards and envelopes
– Leftover food and peelings
– Glass bottles and jars from festive drinks
– Old decorations, broken lights, and batteries
It’s no wonder many households end up with extra waste that can overwhelm usual routines—and local collection teams.
Wiltshire Council offers kerbside collection for a wide range of recyclables, but the unique materials of Christmas can cause confusion. Incorrectly sorted waste can contaminate entire loads, so taking time to check before you bin makes a real difference to local recycling streams.
Wrapping Paper:
– Apply the scrunch test: scrunch wrapping paper in your hand—if it stays crumpled, it’s generally recyclable. If it springs back, it belongs in general waste.
– Avoid anything glittery, metallic, or covered with plastic—they can’t be recycled locally.
– Remove sticky tape, ribbons, and bows before recycling paper.
Christmas Cards and Gift Tags:
– Plain, uncoated cards and paper gift tags are suitable for paper recycling.
– Remove batteries from musical cards, which should be taken to battery recycling points like those in supermarkets or recycling centres.
– Cards with glitter, ribbons, or embellishments go in the general waste bin.
Cardboard Boxes:
– Flatten all boxes to save space in your bin and ease collection.
– Take out any plastic inserts, packaging peanuts, or sticky tape—recycle only the plain card.
Real Christmas Trees:
– Remove all decorations, lights, and pots before disposal.
– Check your local schedule—many Wiltshire areas offer kerbside collections in January, or you can use a Household Recycling Centre.
– Look out for community chipping days or composting schemes, which recycle your tree into mulch for local parks and gardens.
Glass Bottles and Jars:
– Rinse bottles and jars, removing all food and drink residues.
– Take off lids and metal caps—they can usually be recycled separately.
Food Waste:
– Place leftovers that can’t be eaten, peelings, and bones in your food waste caddy.
– Always keep the caddy lid closed to avoid pests and smells.
– If you have a home composter, raw fruit and veg peelings can go there too.
Not everything festive can go in your recycling bin. To protect Wiltshire’s recycling streams, keep these out:
– Glittery, metallic or plastic-coated wrapping paper and cards
– Plastic decorations, tinsel, ribbons, bows, and polystyrene
– Soft plastics like crisp packets and plastic film—these may be accepted at some supermarket collection points only
– Batteries and electrical items (including broken fairy lights)—take these to Wiltshire’s dedicated drop-off points
Christmas and New Year often bring temporary changes to normal collection days in Wiltshire. To manage:
– Check Wiltshire Council’s website or leaflets for up-to-date information on holiday bin collections.
– Use local Household Recycling Centres (HRCs) for extra waste or larger items, but expect them to close on Christmas, Boxing, and New Year’s Day. Consider arriving early to avoid queues.
– Sort your recycling at home—paper, card, glass, plastics, and food waste—so you can unload swiftly at HRCs.
– Bring proof of address, as most Wiltshire sites require residency checks.
– Consider storing reusable boxes or packaging for next year or creative reuse projects.
While managing existing waste is vital, the most sustainable option is prevention. Here are some tips for a lower-waste holiday, without losing the festive spirit:
– Save and reuse gift bags, tissue, ribbons, and robust boxes for next year’s presents.
– Choose recyclable and compostable wrapping—brown paper, plain cards, and paper tape are all excellent options.
– Make your own decorations or shop for pre-loved treasures at local charity shops.
– Gift experiences—like local outings or theatre tickets—rather than physical items to reduce unnecessary packaging.
– Plan meals carefully to avoid overbuying, freeze or share leftovers, and compost what can’t be eaten.
– After Christmas, consider chipping or composting your tree, or using Wiltshire Council’s collection and recycling schemes.
Managing Christmas waste in Wiltshire isn’t only about keeping our bins under control. Each small act—sorting the recycling, reusing packaging, or sharing spare food—helps protect the local environment and ensures that recycling efforts benefit everyone in the community. Involving your family in sustainable holiday traditions can create positive memories, save money, and nurture habits that last long into the new year.
So, as you enjoy the festivities, take pride in every effort to waste less and recycle more. After all, a truly green Wiltshire starts at home—and every household can help make Christmas celebrations cleaner, kinder, and more sustainable for the whole county.