Newry and Mourne District Council

18th December 2009

Christmas! A time of goodwill and celebration, often accompanied by increases in eating, drinking and spending, however this leads to an increase of 30% in the waste produced. This year, why not make a special effort to try and minimise the amount of waste produced over the festive period. With a little thought, we can all limit the impact that we have and still have a great time.

Some handy hints, to make this year, a Green Christmas and maybe help you save some money, include:-

• The big Christmas food shop doesn’t need to be stressful – if you remember to plan in advance by making lists – the trip will be a lot easier and you are more likely to just buy what you need, saving you money and food waste in the long run!

• A third of your kitchen waste can be composted! Fill your kitchen caddy with the Christmas roast peelings, general vegetable and fruit peelings, teabags, paper towels and eggshells and add this, to your compost bin.

• Love your Christmas leftovers; visit www.lovefoodhatewaste.com for loads of great festive recipe ideas to help you make the most of that leftover roast turkey, cooked ham and Christmas pudding. As well as saving food, this can also save money.

• Why not look out for items containing recycled material as gifts this Christmas? A growing range of clothes, furniture and even electronic goods containing some recycled material will make perfect ‘green’ gifts this Christmas. You can find out more about electrical ‘eco’ products at www.recyclenow.com/ecoproducts.

• While out looking, for this year’s hot new gadget, this is an ideal time to think about recycling old electricals lying about the house. Reusing these materials, means we can make best use of our scarce natural resources and make a real difference. For example, one iron contains enough steel for 13 food cans. The plastic can be recycled and so can help to save non-renewable fossil fuel resources.

Mayor of Newry and Mourne Council Cllr John Feehan said “ Remember, there are lots of unexpected Christmas items like biscuit and sweet tins, wrapping paper, cardboard boxes from internet deliveries and Christmas cards that can be put in your blue bin for recycling.”

“Cranberry sauce, mincemeat, or even baby food glass jars can be recycled at any of the Council’s 36 recycling bring sites along with, wine and beer bottles and food and drink cans.

Batteries, mobile phones, real Christmas trees and even broken fairy lights can all be take to the Council’s 7 Civic Amenity/ Household Recycling Sites for recycling”.

Newry and Mourne District Council would like to thank all residents for their recycling efforts over the past year and encourages everyone to come together, to make 2010, an even better year for Reduce, Reuse and Recycle.

For more information on how you can recycle more at Christmas, please go to the Council’s website Here or you can contact Therese Hamill, Recycling Officer, Newry and Mourne District Council. Tel: 02830313233 or email recycling@newryandmourne.gov.uk