TORFAEN council will be unable to recycle wrapping paper as a number of companies will not accept the material due to its low quality.

It should therefore be placed in the purple-lidded wheelie bins when collected.

Cllr Fiona Cross, the executive member for the environment, said: “As a resident I know we all tend to buy more and generate extra waste over the Christmas period.

“This year we have an added issue as UK paper re-processors have told local authorities that they will no longer accept wrapping paper for recycling as the quality of the paper is too poor.

“To free up space in the purple-lidded bin we are asking residents to make full use of the kerbside recycling service as most of the waste produced by the average household over Christmas can be recycled.

“This will free up space in your wheelie bin and reduce the amount of waste we have to send for processing.”

To help manage the extra waste the council will collect up to two extra black bags of rubbish per household.

The bags should be placed next to the purple lidded wheelie bin on the first general waste collection after Christmas.

Envelopes, plastic packaging such as selection box trays, plastic bottles, tubs and trays, glass bottles and jars, and drinks cans and tins can be recycled in the black recycling box.

Greetings cards and any cardboard packaging can be recycled in the blue recycling sack.

Any leftover food such as vegetable peelings, turkey bones, or tea bags, can be disposed of in the brown kerbside caddy.

More information on what can be recycled at the kerbside along with council opening times over Christmas is available on the council’s website www.torfaen.gov.uk