Overview
- St Helens Borough Council told residents via TikTok that wrapping paper, gift bags and Christmas cards should not go in the area’s recycling bags, with most items directed to general waste unless they are plain brown paper.
- Rules differ by location, so households are advised to check their council guidance or use tools like the Recycle Now checker before deciding what to bin.
- Veolia advises that only wrap made from 100% paper is recyclable, with Australian households told to use the yellow‑lid paper bin and to send metallic or glittery wrap to general waste.
- Councils and waste firms say to remove sticky tape, ribbons, bows and glued decorations first, and note that cards and gift bags are recyclable only when entirely paper, with the scrunch test used as a quick check.
- Experts encourage reuse of intact paper, ribbons and sturdy gift bags to cut waste when items fail recycling rules.