Recycling Arrangements Over Holiday Period

18th December 2012

Recycling and refuse collection arrangements over the Christmas Holidays.

With the 2012 festivities almost upon us, The Highland Council is advising households not to get snowed under with waste but to take advantage of all the recycling opportunities available over the Christmas holidays.

There are a few changes to collection days. Anyone who would normally have their recycling or refuse collection next Tuesday (Christmas Day) will instead have it collected on Saturday 22 December. Similarly, collections due on Tuesday 1st January will instead take place on Saturday 29 December. Those households due for a collection on Wednesday 2 January will have their bins emptied on Saturday 5th January. All other blue and green bins collections will run as normal however, garden waste collections in brown bins will stop between the 22 December � 6 January.

Blue bins can be used to recycle all paper, cardboard, food tins and drinks cans and plastic bottles. This includes wrapping paper, Christmas cards and cardboard packaging. In addition to this, with 200 Recycling Points across the region it�s never been easier to locally recycle your festive glass bottles and jars as well as any extra paper and cardboard.

All the Council Recycling Centres will be close on 25th December and 1st and 2nd of January but will open as normal throughout the rest of the holiday period. Details of their locations and opening hours can be found by visiting www.highland.gov.uk/recycle. Householders will be able to take along electrical items, used batteries, large cardboard boxes and paper, glass bottles and jars and extra tins and cans and most of the recycling centres can accept your real Christmas tree for composting as well. Please check the website for availability of a green waste skip at your nearest recycling centre.

The Recycling team are also giving some handy hints on ways of cutting down on food waste over the festive season. Whether you are having family or friends round for a meal or just fancy an extra mince pie or two, it�s easy to plan ahead to reduce your waste and in the process, save money.

Key things to remember are:

� Know your dates: Best Before dates refer to quality rather than food safety. Foods with a 'best before' date should be safe to eat after the 'best before' date, but they may no longer be at their best.

� Get Planning �write a shopping list and only buy what you need.

� Use your Freezer � freezing meals can save you time and money.

� Love your Leftovers �visit lovefoodhatewatste.com for some inspiration

Full details, and copies of the Collection Calendars for 2013 are now available by visiting www.highland.gov/recycle or telephoning 01349 886603.