Manchester City Council

Manchester City Council's recycling team has some top tips for all of us to minimise waste and save money at the same time.

• Purchase Christmas food in packages that can be easily recycled either within your kerbside recycling service or at your local bring it sites - recyclable materials include glass, tins, paper, liquid food containers and plastic bottles.
• Be a shrewd shopper reduce the amount of waste you produce don't buy over packaged products, take your shopping bags with you and buy rechargeable batteries - they will save you money in the long run.
• Save some money this Christmas think about what you really need, write a shopping list and try not to go shopping when you are hungry.
• Try and look out for recycled paper and why not save your wrapping this year and reuse it next year.
• Got a kitchen full of sprout and potato peelings? Don't throw them in the bin - turn them into valuable compost with a home composting bin. You can get these at a bargain price from Manchester City Council visit the website at www.manchester.gov.uk/recycling
• Want some tips about what to do with your Christmas food leftovers - visit the WRAP website for some festive recipes from top chefs http://www.lovefoodhatewaste.com/
• Sending Christmas cards this year? What about an e-card - with the deadline for sending our Christmas cards is fast approaching e-cards are instant, fun and save materials. With normal cards don't forget to support the Woodland Trust Christmas card recycling scheme you can take your cards to WHSMith, Tesco, TKMaxx and M&S stores between 2 and 31 January.

Councillor Neil Swannick, Executive Member for Environment said: "There are lots of things that we can all do to minimise the amount of waste and packaging that we throw away this Christmas. If we all do just a little bit it will make a huge difference in the long run."

Media contact:

Jacqueline Meenan, tel: 0161 234 4027