Householders in the Liverpool City Region are being asked to recycle as much as possible this Christmas and New Year – but to bear in mind any COVID-19 restrictions.

Merseyside Recycling & Waste Authority (MRWA) and its contractor Veolia are reminding local people that the region’s 14 Household Waste Recycling Centres are open most days, where all sorts of items can be recycled for free.

Tonnes of waste material is usually created at this time of the year, but with COVID-19 restrictions and social distancing in place it may not be as quick and easy to recycle as normal.

Carl Beer, Chief Executive of MRWA, said:

“A considerable amount of waste is created at this time of the year so it’s a good opportunity to boost the region’s recycling levels. Our Recycling Centres will happily accept the clutter of people’s packaging, bottles, cans and even Christmas trees.

“However, traditionally the Centres do get very busy around Christmas, and social distancing is still in place, so we would ask people if they can delay their visit then please do so. If you must visit then try and sort your items before you get to site and expect to queue.

“Alternatively, store waste at home until the rush is over if you can, use your household recycling bin, or even local bring banks if available. Whatever you do, please don’t fly-tip outside the Centres as this is illegal and you could be fined.”

Household Waste Recycling Centres will be closed on the following days ONLY over Christmas and New Year:

CHRISTMAS DAY (Friday 25^th Dec)

BOXING DAY (Saturday 26^th Dec)

NEW YEAR’S DAY (Friday 1^st Jan)

Many items can be deposited at the region’s Recycling Centres, with the majority accepting cans, cardboard, garden waste, glass jars and bottles, paper, scrap metal, textiles, tyres, timber/wood, white goods and electrical items.

As the Centres are particularly busy at this time of year MRWA and Veolia are asking householders to, if possible, consider the following:

• Is it essential that you dispose of the waste or can your visit wait?
• There may be long queues and long waiting times.
• Try to use household waste bins or local bring banks.
• If you are visiting a Recycling Centre, please try to sort your waste before you visit (e.g. place cardboard together, wood together). This way you don’t have to do it at the Centre while you are there. You can view the layout of your Recycling Centre at www.veolia.co.uk/merseyside-and-halton.
• Visitors should stay at least 2 metres apart from others.
• Unload your vehicle yourself – no assistance can be given by staff members currently.
• No COVID waste (e.g. used tissues) unless it has been stored for 72 hours.
• Please don’t fly-tip your waste outside a Recycling Centre as this is illegal and you could be fined or prosecuted.
• If using a van or large trailer you will need to pre-book your visit at www.merseysidewda.gov.uk
• If you are going to visit Formby, Sefton Meadows or Rainhill in any vehicle, you will need to pre-book your visit at www.merseysidewda.gov.uk
• Householders looking to see what they can and can’t recycle should visit www.recycleright.org.uk to get the latest advice.

 Other tips for a cleaner Christmas include:

– Flatten cardboard boxes before adding them to a recycling container – it will take up less room.
– Remove any plastic wrapping and polystyrene before placing cardboard boxes into the correct container. Unfortunately we can’t recycle your plastic gift wrapping.

– Please don’t bring us plastic bags – try to reuse them as much as possible and next time you go shopping why not buy a bag-for-life?
– Separate your clear glass bottles, brown bottles and green bottles for the correct container (and put any blue bottles with green bottles).
– Bring us your cans – people use an extra 500 million drinks cans during the festive period, which are all recyclable!
– Remember to recycle Christmas cards instead of throwing them away.
– After Christmas you can bring your real Christmas trees to our Recycling Centres where they’ll be shredded and turned into chippings for compost.

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