IT will be business as usual for Hampshire’s household waste recycling centres on the the run up to Christmas.

All 24 of the county’s waste recycling centres, including those at Alton, Bordon, Petersfield and Alresford, will remain open up until Christmas, closing for just two days – from 4pm on Christmas Eve and opening again at 9am on the Tuesday, December 27.

Rob Humby, the county council’s executive member for environment and transport, said: “Christmas usually means more waste – whether its packaging, or disposing of old items which have been replaced by new versions. With the largest network of household waste recycling centres in the country, open seven days a week except for Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day, Hampshire’s residents are able to take their household waste, free of charge, to their local site any time between 9am and 4pm.

“I’m pleased to say that more than 60 per cent of the waste residents bring to these sites is recycled. At home, people can use their own recycling bins for recyclable materials, including biscuit and sweet tins, delivery and toy boxes, cards and envelopes.”

Christmas recycling tips:

* Break down larger cardboard boxes for your recycling bin, or take them to the waste recycling centres;

* Remember that most wrapping paper can’t be recycled because it contains other materials such as plastic or foil;

* Make sure all paper that goes into the recycling bin is clean, so used paper plates can’t be recycled;

* Give cans and tins a quick rinse before putting them in the recycling;

* Remember empty plastic bottles and aerosols from the bathroom, as well as the kitchen, can be put in the recycling bin;

* Check out the Smart Living Christmas website for handy hints on how to reduce your waste and save your family money;

* There is a charge for non-household waste items which are expensive to dispose of, including bricks and rubble, plasterboard, and cement-bonded asbestos;

* Small businesses are now able to use Hampshire’s waste recycling centres on a commercial basis;

*n For local waste collections, check with the local district or borough council to see if there are any changes in bin collection days over the festive period.

To check which items are accepted at household waste recycling centres, visit hants.gov.uk.