WITH Christmas fast approaching, householders are being reminded that Christmas and New Year waste and recycling collection dates will change.

Collections from Monday, December 26 will be one day later than the usual collection date.

Normal collection dates will resume on Friday, January 6.

You can also check your collection dates over the festive period by visiting Northumberland County Council's bin collection postcode checker at https://nland.cc/xmasbins 

Hexham Courant:

At this time of year, many households generate much more waste and recycling from wrapping paper, cards and other gift packaging. You can recycle these materials yourself at home, or by using the council’s waste and recycling services.

Real Christmas trees can be recycled into good quality compost or soil conditioner, or into chippings. They can also be taken to household waste recovery centres during normal site opening times, or to a local collection point.

To find the opening times of your local household waste recovery centre or your nearest Christmas tree collection point go to www.northumberland.gov.uk/waste

The council cannot recycle any wrapping paper made with glitter or foil, so this would have to be disposed of as waste in your general rubbish bin.

If your wrapping paper can be scrunched and stays scrunched up, it doesn’t contain foil and can go in your recycling bin. Foil wrapping paper springs back when scrunched.

County councilor John Riddle, cabinet member for local services, said: "With more rubbish thrown away over the festive period than at any other time of year, we are asking residents to really try and reduce waste, recycle as much waste as possible and try and make environmentally conscious buying decisions.

"Sometimes we all overindulge during the festive season and buy more than we need. If you have lots of extra food or unwanted non-perishable food you can donate these to local food banks. Many supermarkets also have donation points."