WEST Dunbartonshire residents are being reminded that help is at hand if they want to get rid of their Festive accessories.

West Dunbartonshire Council has comprehensive information about how to recycle much of your Christmas waste materials such as real Christmas trees, paper and cards.

A spokesperson said: "Once the Christmas festivities are over don't forget that Christmas trees, cards, food and most wrapping paper can be recycled.

"All Christmas cards can be recycled, please place them in your blue bin or bag.

"Alternatively you can use the paper banks at our Household Waste Recycling Centres and mini sites. Cards can also be recycled through various chain stores.

"Christmas cards can also be reused - why not make decorations and labels for Christmas presents from them in time for next year?"

They are also giving advice to those who have an abundance of wrapping paper at home.

The spokesperson said: "To check if your wrapping paper is recyclable give it the 'scrunch test' - if it stays crumpled it can also go into your paper and cardboard recycling container.

"Any wrapping paper which 'springs back' after being scrunched up is plastic based and cannot be recycled.

"And don't forget that your Christmas food can also be recycled; anything from vegetable peelings to turkey bones can be put into your brown bins for regular collection.

"There are also many ways to reduce food waste - for example why not use your leftovers to make a new meal?"

There's also help at hand for those who have glass to dispose of, as the spokesperson explained: "From beetroot jars to bottles of sparkling wine to toast Christmas and bring in the New Year, West Dunbartonshire has 125 glass recycling points throughout the district.

"And residents can bring their real (not artificial) Christmas trees to any of the two Household Waste Recycling Centres at Dalmoak, Renton and Ferry Road, Old Kilpatrick - or leave them next to their brown bins (not inside them) for a kerbside collection. "Please remember to remove any decorations before placing your tree out for collection, cut your tree in half if it is bigger than your brown bin, put the brown bin out next to the tree, even if it is empty, so the crews know to stop at your property."

Residents must note that the Christmas tree collection scheme is only for properties which have a kerbside co-mingled food and garden waste collection.

Other properties should bring their trees to one of WDC's Household Waste Recycling Centres.

This uplift service does not apply to artificial or plastic Christmas trees, please dispose of these at one of the Household Waste Recycling Centres.

More more information go to http://www.west-dunbarton.gov.uk/rubbish-and-recycling/recycling-your-festive/?platform=hootsuite