Warning over Christmas landfill waste

Those getting ready to wrap their presents in traditional sparkly paper this year have been urged to reconsider before getting out the scissors and tape.

The Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) is urging people to use alternatives to dyed, laminated wrapping paper which is sent to landfill sites every year and cannot be recycled.

WRAP has highlighted that the UK alone sends 10,734 tonnes of Christmas wrapping paper to landfill sites annually.

However, environment spokesman for the Conservatives Peter Ainsworth said that asking people to sacrifice their festive paper is "going too far".

"Rather than sending messages to the public that are likely to be met with a Christmas raspberry, the government should be helping industry to invest in the facilities to process waste efficiently," he stated.

Another Christmas caution the UK received this week was not to pour animal fat and greases down the drain. Thames Water highlighted that blockages are more common at this time of year.