As Christmas celebrations bring extra packaging and materials into our homes, Somerset residents are being reminded to think twice before binning festive items.

Recycling is important, but reducing waste and reusing materials where possible is even better.

Here's a guide to dealing with some common holiday extras:

Plastic tubs for sweets and chocolate

• Reuse: These tubs can be great for storage, cake containers, or decorative gift boxes.
• Recycle: Empty plastic tubs, even the large ones, can go in your bright blue recycling bag.

Metal tins for biscuits

• Reuse: Turn them into storage for first aid kits, sewing supplies, or toys. You can also decorate them to use as planters or gift boxes by covering them with wrapping paper or magazine cuttings.
• Recycle: Clean, empty tins can also go in the bright blue bag.

Christmas crackers

• Recycle: Remove any glitter, foil, or ribbons before recycling the cardboard in your black recycling box.

Wrapping paper

• Reuse: Save large, intact pieces to use next year. Smaller pieces can be shredded for packing material or used to decorate gift boxes. You can even craft bowls from pre-loved wrapping paper.
• Recycle: Wrapping paper that is free of glitter, foil, and tape can be recycled in the black box.

Christmas cards

• Reuse: Cut old cards into gift tags, use the fronts as postcards for next Christmas, or keep them as scrap paper.
• Recycle: Cards can be recycled with cardboard, but ensure any glitter, foil, or plastic is removed first.

Foil trays

• Reuse: Wash larger trays for reuse in cooking.
• Recycle: Wipe clean with kitchen paper (grease and food scraps can go into the food waste bin) and recycle trays and foil in the bright blue bag. No need to scrub burnt food—this burns off during processing.

By reusing and recycling thoughtfully, we can all help reduce waste this festive season.