Christmas Top Tips

Christmas! A time when we see seasonal increases in eating, drinking and spending. If all goes well this combination should result in a lot of fun, but unfortunately it will result in an estimated 3 million tonnes of waste. With a bit of thought we can limit the impact we have on the environment this Christmas, and still have a great time:

Nationally over the festive season we will use an extra 750 Million bottles and jars, by recycling these you would save enough energy to boil water for 60 million cups of tea.
Avoid goods that involve unnecessary packaging or complicated mixed material packaging that can make recycling difficult. Order any extra milk in returnable bottles from the milkman to avoid plastic bottles or cartons from the supermarket. Buy drinks, like lemonade or beer, in large containers, rather than smaller ones.
Avoid using paper plates, cups and serviettes if you are planning a party.
Where possible avoid buying presents which rely on disposable parts, including batteries. Buy gifts that are durable and not things that break easily. If you are not sure what to buy, why not give money or gift vouchers? Consider buying presents that are environmentally friendly or produced in a sustainable way.
Consider buying an artificial tree that can be used year after year. If you can’t live without a real tree, either buy one with roots that can be replanted or recycle it afterwards.
If you purchase wrapping paper, look for wrapping paper with recycled content.
If you are given gifts you don’t want, why not donate them! Local charity shops could benefit from your unwanted presents. If you are having a clear out to make room for new presents, and are getting rid of old shoes, clothes and other textiles, these can be put in the bring banks for recycling.

After Christmas:

After Christmas why not reuse cards as gift tags? Alternatively support the Woodland Trust’s Christmas card recycling scheme where you can take your cards to WH Smith, TK Maxx, Tesco and Marks and Spencer retail outlets who will have special bins for you to recycle your Christmas cards from 2nd - 31st January 2008. The Woodland Trust is aiming to recycle 100 million Christmas cards so they can plant 24,000 trees.

Over 8 million real Christmas trees will be sold this year according to the British Christmas Tree Growers Association, so after Christmas, if you have a real Christmas tree make sure you recycle it either at your local Household Waste Recycling Centre (HWRC) or through the services being provided by your local council.

In Stockport, Christmas tree recycling will take place at four parks: Bramhall Park; Bruntwood Park; Etherow Country Park; and Vernon Park. These recycling facilities will be located in the car parks of these parks, and will be open from 9am until 4pm seven days a week from Friday 28th December until Tuesday 22nd January 2008. Stockport council are also saying that if you cannot make it to these parks, you can chop your tree into pieces and put it in your green garden waste bin or leave it tied up at the side.

Manchester council are offering collection points, between Friday 4th - Sunday 13th January 2008, 9.30am - 3.30pm, at the following parks:

Alexandra Park - Collections at the Russell Street entrance to the park (North East side of the park, alongside Princess Road) adjacent to the Park Manager's office buildings on the right hand side as you enter through the gates.
Boggart Hole Clough - Collections in the main car park, reached from Charlestown Road to the North of the park.
Chorlton Water Park - Collections in the main car park off Maitland Avenue (off Barlow Moor Road).
Debdale Park - Collections in the main car park off Wall Way (South West corner of the park, opposite McDonalds).
Fog Lane Park - Collections in the area adjacent to the park offices - the entrance is on Fog Lane, towards Parrs Wood Road.
Heaton Park - Collections in the car park on the Western side of the park, which can be reached from the St Margaret's Road entrance to the park. St Margaret's Road is off Bury Old Road, and the car park is signposted from the gate.
Platt Fields Park - Collections in the car park which is signposted from Mabfield Road entrance (off Wilmslow Road in Fallowfield at the South East corner of the park), the collection point will be located in the far left hand corner of the carpark as you enter through the gate.
Wythenshawe Park - Collections on the large car park next to Wythenshawe Community Farm in the middle of the park, which can be reached via the entrance on Wythenshawe Road.
Manchester City Football Club - Sportcity main entrance off Ashton New Road behind the Manchester City Shop.

Alternatively if you can't get your tree to any of Manchester’s collection points Manchester residents are being advised to give Environment on Call a ring on 0161 954 9000 between Wednesday 2 January - Friday 18 January 2008 to arrange a tree recycling collection from their door.

Manchester City Council is also running a Christmas Tree Recycling Campaign in the city centre and your building can take part. They advise that any collections need to be arranged through your management company or building manager if they are not aware about the scheme they need to call 0161 954 9000 and request further information.

The following Christmas tree recycling points are being offered in Rochdale:

Rochdale

Gordon Riggs Garden Centre, Kingsway
B & Q Sandbrook Park
Cronkeyshaw Common, (Bottom of Joy St)
The Strand - (next to recycling banks)
Bolton Rd, (open space near Manley Rd)
Recreation Ground Norden, (off Hutchinson Road)
Norden Road, Bamford (opposite shopping precinct)
All in One Garden Centre, Manchester Road
Castleton
Car Park - Peel St / Sheriff St opp. Falinge Flats

Middleton

Alkrington Woods Car Park, (opposite Golf Club)
Kirkway, (just off Grimshaw Lane)
Boarshaw Road open space, (opposite no. 351)

Pennines

Halifax Road, (off Howarth Green)
Canal Street, near Hollingworth Lake Road
Littleborough
Milnrow Memorial Park, New Hey Road, (by car park)

Heywood

Hopwood Recreation Ground, Middleton Road
Sports Centre Car Park, West Starkey Street
Higher Lomax Lane open space, (opposite no. 25)

In Oldham, residents have 3 choices with their Christmas tree recycling this year. They are:

Cutting down your Christmas tree into your green bin. Larger/thicker branches can be taken to Cartwright or Beal Street Household Waste Recycling Centres.
Contacting the scouts. They will take trees from your house on the 12th and 13th of January for £4. Contact 07940 706311 – email: 115@oldhamscouts.org.uk
Taking your tree to the designated bays at Churchill Playing Fields, Upper mill or Royton and Werneth Parks. Here the Parks service will chip the trees and send the mulch for recycling. Here a tree Recycling service will be in operation from the 31st January to Monday 14th January.