Top tips for a Christmas clear out

Dec 31 2009 by Kathryn Quayle, Chester Chronicle

1. Getting started

Focus on a certain type of item at a time – for example, small electrical goods.

Start with the easy things – items that are broken, worn-out or unused.

Make decisions quickly and move on to the next item.

2. Check room by room

Kitchen – Is there an old, leaky kettle or a burnt out toaster in the back of your cupboard?

Garage – Do you still need that broken strimmer?

Lounge – Will you use that old stereo now you have a shiny new MP3 player?

Bedroom – How many old mobile phones do you have in your drawer?

3. Can it be recycled?

Does it have a plug?

Does it use batteries?

Does it need charging?

Does it have the crossed out wheelie bin on it?

If you can answer YES to any of these questions, then you can recycle it.

4. Recycle it

Take it to your nearest Household Waste Recycling Centres where it can be recycled.