Christmas generates up to 30 per cent more rubbish than usual.

Here’s your guide to making sure as much of your festive waste as possible can be recycled.

Real Christmas trees – Between Monday, January 6 and Saturday, February 1, Swindon Borough Council will be offering a free Christmas tree recycling service. All you need to do is remove all lights and decorations and be sure the tree can be safely lifted by two people. If the tree is very large, you should cut it into manageable pieces.

Artificial Christmas trees – Artificial Christmas trees made from plastic are not recyclable. If you no longer want your Christmas tree donate it to your local charity shop or dispose of it at the Household Waste Recycling Centre at Cheney Manor Industrial Estate.

Christmas crackers – The outside of crackers are usually made from cardboard, remove any stuck-on bits and put the cardboard in your recycling box with the rest of your paper and card. Dispose of the cracker strip as well as any extra stuck-on bits in your black wheelie bin/ blue bag.

Christmas cards/ gift tags – Christmas cards and gift tags can be recycled with your paper and card. If your card or gift tag is coated in film, glitter, plastic or fabric it cannot be recycled and must be disposed of in your black wheelie bin/ blue bag.

Wrapping paper – Not all wrapping paper can be recycled. To check your wrapping paper is recyclable, do the scrunch test. If it scrunches, it’s recyclable. If it springs back, it isn’t. As a general rule wrapping paper with film, plastic, glitter or fabric on it is not recyclable.

Turkey carcass – Bones are not recyclable and must be disposed of in your black wheelie bin/ blue bag.

Turkey foil – Once you’ve finished cooking your turkey make sure to give the foil a rinse through and remove any residue. Once your foil is clean, place it in your recycling box with the rest of your glass and metal recycling.

Christmas food waste – There are lots of great Christmas leftover recipes online that will ensure you get the most for your money and you are wasting as little as possible. If you're household is taking part in the council's food waste trial and you are unable to find any other uses for your leftovers then dispose of them in your caddies. If you're not on the food waste trial you can either compost your leftovers or dispose of them in your black wheelie bin/ blue bag.

Cardboard packaging – Break up large pieces of cardboard into smaller pieces and bundle it neatly next to your recycling box, or – if you have space – put it inside your recycling box with the rest of your paper and card. Large pieces of cardboard will not fit inside the opening of the recycling truck and will not be collected.

Plastic packaging – Plastic packaging around clothing or new toys is not recyclable and must be disposed of in your black wheelie bin/blue bag.