As Christmas draws near, North Devon Council is advising residents to prepare for changes to waste and recycling collection schedules. These changes will be in place from Monday 23 December through to Friday 3 January, with regular services resuming on Monday 6 January 2025. 

Residents are encouraged to check the council’s website for updated information on revised collection days to avoid missing their collections. Additionally, there will be no garden waste collections during the two-week period starting Monday 23 December. 

Top tips for recycling this festive season: 

DO 

• Ensure your wheelie bins, recycling boxes, and recycling bags are placed out by 6am on the day of collection.
• Flatten and bundle cardboard into your brown recycling bags. If you have excess, visit your local recycling centre or arrange a free bulky waste collection for cardboard only by calling 01271 327711.
• Remove plastic film from cardboard packaging before recycling.
• Scrunch tin foil, including foil mince pie cases, and place it in your black/green recycling box.
• Wash and squash plastic bottles and drink cans, and replace the bottle lid securely.
• Opt for brown paper as a recyclable wrapping alternative, removing tape before recycling it in your brown bag.
• Use up leftover food where possible. Dispose of unavoidable food waste in your kerbside caddy.
• Separate glass and place it in your blue recycling box.
• Dispose of real Christmas trees (trunk 5cm or less) in your green wheelie bin if you have a permit. Larger trees can be taken to recycling centres. 

DON’T

• Place non-recyclable items like black plastic, crisp tubes, or tetra packs in your recycling. Use special collection points at recycling centres or pop in your black waste bin.
•  Include shiny or glittery Christmas cards or wrapping paper in your recycling. These often contain non-paper additives and cannot be processed. Please pop in your black bin instead.
• Recycle greasy pizza boxes; place these in your black waste bin.
• Mix carrier bags, cling film, or plastic film with your recycling. Check with supermarkets or local recycling centres for specific recycling options or pop in your black bin.
• Put batteries or vapes in kerbside collections due to fire risks. Use designated drop-off points at supermarkets or recycling centres.

Councillor Julie Hunt, Lead Member for Waste and Recycling, said: “The festive period brings joy but also an increase in waste. It’s more important than ever to recycle properly, reuse where possible, and reduce what we throw away. Please take a moment to check our website for guidance on what goes where. And remember, to ensure your collection is not missed, present your bins by 6am. Wishing everyone a safe and happy Christmas!"

Council offices and phone lines will close at 1pm on Tuesday 24 December and reopen on Thursday 2 January 2025. While offices are closed, residents can find detailed information on all council services via their website. 

For a handy A-Z guide on how to recycle specific items, visit the council’s online recycling index.