Christmas can be a festive frenzy; present wrapping; visiting friends and family; elf on the shelf; last-minute shopping – it’s a busy time and there is often a long to do list!
But after all the preparations are finished, the toys are played with, the turkey is cooked, and the chocolate biscuits are devoured, do you remember what to do with all those leftover trimmings?
It’s important to remember to reuse or recycle what’s left behind, particularly steel packaging. Steel packaging is all around us without realising and is 100% recyclable, it can be reused again and again without losing quality. Every household in the UK can now include steel packaging in their regular kerbside recycling collection.
Here are four steel packaging items you may forget to recycle at Christmas, along with some handy tips to make recycling easier this holiday season.
1. Biscuit tins
Biscuit tins are a Christmas staple, whether filled with shortbread or chocolate and sweet treats. Once empty, these tins often end up in storage or the bin. Instead, pop them in your recycling bin or repurpose them for storage.
2. Food cans
Some traditional Christmas dinners often call for ingredients like tinned carrots, potatoes, or soup if you’re having a starter. These steel food cans are often forgotten amidst the cooking chaos, but they’re fully recyclable. Just rinse them out before recycling. For canned food recipe inspiration, visit Canned Food UK.
3. Aerosol cans
Think air fresheners, festive room sprays, hairspray or antiperspirant. Empty aerosols can be made of steel and can be recycled in your local council collections. Just make sure they’re completely empty first.
4. Metal lids from jars
Jars of cranberry sauce or pickles often come with steel lids. These are widely recyclable but frequently forgotten about. Give them a quick rinse and include them in your recycling. You may leave the lid on the jar.
Top tips for recycling steel packaging at Christmas
1. Rinse: A quick rinse prevents contamination in the recycling process.
2. Flatten when possible: Flattening cans saves space in your recycling bin.
3. Don’t forget small items: Tiny steel lids or caps are easy to miss but just as recyclable.
This Christmas, don’t forget to recycle those steel packaging items you might overlook, helping to reduce waste and conserve resources. By making a few simple changes, you can make a big impact on your festive recycling efforts.