Precious Plastic York

Volumes of recycling put out for collection in the run up to Christmas do get higher, we don't mind that but do ask a few things:

♻️ Rinse all of your cans and plastic packaging
♻️ Flatten your cans (if you can)
♻️ Flatten your cardboard (even the smaller food and tree light boxes like the ones in this photo)
♻️Remove the plastic films and trays from any food packaging, films need to go with your general waste, trays are recyclable but not when they are still in a cardboard box
♻️If you have a larger than usual amount, please give us a heads up. We'll take what we can but will leave behind any we can't fit in our vehicles. We can only do this though if you are following the instructions above - chances are your "extra" would have fit in your box if it was sorted and squashed properly.
♻️Bags of garden waste (grass and hedge trimmings, cut flowers) are welcome to be left next to your recycling container - we cannot take Christmas trees or wreaths
♻️Put your recycling out weekly, even if your container isn't full

Following our guidelines helps us provide a fair and consistent service to all of our residents. If you need help with your recycling collection please do reach out to us.

It might be a coincidence but we start getting lots more wine, spirit, champagne and beer bottles in recycling containers towards the end of December/start of January 🤔

However, this is a plea from your friendly, local Recycling Team...

Please don't put your extra glass (no matter the season!) out in paper bags. Even in dry weather, or if you think it's "not that heavy"; 90% of the time the bag rips and we then have to spend time cleaning up bottles from the kerbside. Use a reusable bag (we'll return it!), putting out weekly, even in smaller volumes also helps. We are more than happy to remove to collect part full boxes, your recycling doesn't only need to go out when it's full!

Happy December!

📢 Collections of cartons and toothpaste tubes start on Monday!

Please ensure your cartons are flattened.

Note: collections are for toothpaste tubes only (no other types of tubes) 🪥

If you have any questions or would like more info, please visit stnicks.org.uk/waste-and-sustainability/recycling/

Our Recycling Team are still buzzing about the feedback their Autumn Fayre interactive Cardboard City got! The simple things really are the best sometimes 🥰

Forgive us posting about Christmas but planning ahead can really help save you stress, money and reduce the amount of waste produced.

🎄 No last minute panic buying just because you feel like you *have* to buy someone a gift... Have the conversations now and save yourself!
🎄 Christmas dinner doesn't need to involve elaborate tablescapes and 15 courses, focus on quality time and make memories!

Zero Waste Win is all about sustainable periods. Did you know one sanitary towel can take up to 500 years to break down? and our “flush” culture means that tampons are commonly found as marine litter! If you can, why not try a reusable, washable period option? Lots of high street stores sell period pants, you can buy reusable pads and menstrual cups from Zero Waste stores and online for as little as £2!

*Please don’t flush anything but the three P’s - P*e, P**p and Paper!*

Our Trustee Emma has recently written about the challenge of living without plastic for a month. Although we are lucky to have some fantastic shops in York, the journey isn't straightforward. If you'd like support, tips, and tricks to cut down on waste, come join our Zero Waste York Facebook community. https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/feb/12/my-no-plastic-life-i-tried-to-cut-out-single-use-items-for-a-month-and-it-almost-broke-me

Don't get caught out by new waste regulations coming into action from the end of March 2025 that will affect all businesses with more than 10 employees, and all businesses of any size from March 2027. "Simpler Recycling" aims to standardise collections across the UK and will also affect residential collections from next year. Not sure what you need to do? Feel free to contact our Recycling Team ([email protected]) for advice, or check out the resources on www.businessofrecycling.wrap.ngo

Zero Waste York Group Member Rosie sent us her January Christmas card crafts! Here’s her photos of upcycles she’s made from cards donated by friends and neighbours. A whole tin of gift tags for next years presents, cute (though she admits time consuming) baubles and she’ll be making her own paper out of any of the bits left over! How’s that for Zero Waste!

Having a clear out? Don’t forget to recycle your cables, leads and charging wires! Here’s four facts courtesy of Recycle Your Electricals to inspire you to tackle that drawer of cables. St Nicks is very proud to be able to recycle your cables, leads and wires and it helps us raise unrestricted income to support our work, contact us for more information or to donate your cables, leads and wires!

Do you recycle your cables, leads and wires?

What’s your top waste busting Christmas tip?

Terracycle are closing the KP snacks packaging scheme at the end of November. Please make sure you are signed up to our mailing list to make sure you don’t miss the chance to recycle these materials with us. They will not be accepted after the 26th November. https://www.stnicks.org.uk/.../recycling/tricky-materials/