Residents across Barrow are being encouraged to recycle their wrapping and cards correctly in a pledge to make Barrow clean and green this festive season.

Every December, as we all gather to celebrate Christmas with loved ones, the dilemma of what we can recycle versus what we should bin rears its head.

According to data by Zero Waste Week, around 114,000 tonnes of plastic packaging will be thrown away and not recycled in the UK this Christmas.

Here are three simple tips to help everyone across the borough to have a greener Christmas this year:

• Please place wrapping paper in the waste bin.

This is because foil-based wrapping paper and wrap containing glitter or sellotape can cause problems at recycling centres, where it can contaminate large quantities of other recyclable materials.

• Plain Christmas cards can be recycled with your cardboard and paper.

However, cards that contain glitter, foil or glued-on decorations must be placed in the waste bin.

• Flatten and fold cardboard packaging and boxes and place them in the recycling.

Please make sure they are kept dry prior to collection.

Councillor Lee Roberts, the Deputy Leader of Barrow Borough Council, said: “We want everyone in Barrow to enjoy their festive celebrations with their families and friends.

“It’s very important to ensure we are recycling correctly, especially as there will be lots of extra waste such as wrapping paper and packaging to think about.

“If everyone in the borough manages to spend an extra few minutes sorting out their Christmas rubbish then this means the waste will go to the correct facility to be dealt with, avoiding any unnecessary waste. It’s up to us all to play our part in making Barrow a greener borough for everyone to enjoy.”

Waste and recycling collection dates will remain unchanged in the borough over the Christmas period this year. Please put your bin and recycling out on the morning of collection and take it in again as soon as possible on the same day. Over the Christmas period, any additional waste should be placed in bags and left next to your waste bin for collection.

Real Christmas trees can be left next to your waste bin for collection on your normal day for households that are not part of the Garden Waste Club. Garden Waste Club members should leave real Christmas trees out on the date of your next scheduled collection date.

For more information about recycling across Barrow – and to see a handy guide to recycling – please visit Barrow BC – Recycling & Refuse