People living in Exeter are being reminded that Christmas wrapping paper and cards cannot be recycled in their green recycling bin.
However, the Council is able to recycle traditional brown paper, as long as it doesn’t have any glitter or foil on it.
As with previous years, the City Council is unable to take any Christmas wrapping paper or cards for recycling. Instead, it is asking residents to place them in their black bin for normal household rubbish.
“The truth is that normal white-backed, thin and shiny wrapping paper simply doesn’t recycle,” said Cllr Ruth Williams, Lead Councillor for City Management.
“The quality is so poor that it doesn’t make pulp. The paper mills don’t want it, so we can’t send it to them.
“It’s the same for cards – they are not of sufficient quality to recycle with higher quality paper and card but will be accepted at Devon County Council’s recycling centres in Exton Road and Pinbrook Road, if they are the non-glittery sort.”
There are other recyclable varieties of wrapping paper available, but the honest truth is these won’t be recycled in Exeter because it is virtually impossible to tell the difference when they are on the recycling conveyor.
Some retailers are now selling brown paper with printed designs on it, so if it is brown on both sides and glitter and foil free, it can be placed in the green recycling bin.
For more information about recycling this Christmas, visit Christmas Recycling - Exeter City Council
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