What to do with greetings cards?
Whether celebrating a birthday, a new baby, a house move or even passing a test, when a pile of greetings cards lands on your doorstep it can be quite exciting!
Once the joy of seeing them brighten up the mantlepiece has passed and they’re ready to be scrapped, make sure you recycle them the right way so they can be turned into something else.
Household recycling collection
Most cards are paper-based and can be recycled in your bin at home. Always try to remove ribbons, foil and glitter before recycling and try to choose cards that are made from recyclable materials. Envelopes can also be recycled.
Postcards can be recycled using your household recycling bin and at your local household waste recycling centre.
If you’re lucky enough to receive a musical card, then remember to remove the batteries and drop them off at a recycling point.
Household waste recycling centre (HWRC)
Some councils ask for cards to be recycled at the nearest household recycling centre, check your local household waste recycling centre website for details
What can I do?
Reuse cards and make gift tags for presents, bookmarks and postcards or use them for a shopping list by tearing the card in half and later recycling them.
Go digital and opt for an e-card instead.
Buy recycled cards that don’t have ribbons or glitter on them.
Upcycle your Christmas cards by turning them into a festive wreath for next year - place them all in a circle, glue them together and stick a bow on.
Recycling is constantly evolving and changing so check back for updates or try our recycling locator to find out what you can recycle at home and where you can recycle or pass on unwanted items in your local area.