This Christmas, Worcestershire County Council is spreading some festive cheer to help residents cut down on household waste, and they’ve enlisted some very special helpers to make it happen.
Introducing Santa’s Sorting Squad, Worcestershire’s team of seven cheeky, characterful elves sent straight from Santa’s workshop with one clear mission: to help Worcestershire waste less, recycle right, and keep Christmas green.
Each elf comes with their own personality, purpose and festive flair, making recycling easy and engaging for residents of all ages.
Councillor Ian Cresswell, Worcestershire County Council’s Cabinet Member for the Environment, said: “Christmas is a busy time, and sorting waste can easily slip down the to-do list. That’s why we’re providing clear, practical guidance to help everyone recycle more effectively over the festive season. By reducing food waste, recycling Christmas trees, cutting back on unnecessary packaging and making more environmentally conscious choices, we can all contribute to a cleaner Worcestershire for the New Year and beyond.”
The elves themselves are at the heart of this effort. ‘Leftover Lennie’ shares clever ways to cut down on food waste, while ‘Cardboard Cara’ helps households deal with the influx of parcels, cards and packaging.
‘Glassy Gus’ offers guidance on crystal-clear glass recycling, and ‘Tree-mendous Tilly’ reminds residents how to give real Christmas trees a second life in the New Year. ‘Battery Betty’ highlights safe battery disposal, ‘Scrappy Sam’ helps people sort their general recycling correctly, and ‘Plastic Peter’ focuses on recycling plastic bottles, pots, tubs and trays the right way.
With waste levels rising by almost a third at this time of the year, residents are being encouraged to take simple, practical steps that make a big difference.
From planning meals to reduce leftovers, to ensuring recycling is clean, sorted and easy to process. Throughout December, Santa’s Sorting Squad will be appearing across social media with festive reminders, practical tips and a touch of elf mischief to keep things fun.
Residents can follow the elves online, where the Council will be sharing everything from food-saving inspiration and creative reuse ideas to straightforward guidance on recycling bottles, cans, cards, wrapping and real Christmas trees. Each update offers an easy way to adopt good habits without losing any of the magic of the season.
Households are encouraged to check any changes to kerbside collection schedules over the festive period by visiting their District Council’s website. For quick advice on how to dispose of items from batteries to bottles, the Council’s online waste guide provides simple, clear instructions.
To get involved and find easy ways to waste less and recycle more this Christmas, follow Worcestershire County Council on social media throughout December.
Santa’s Sorting Squad will be there every step of the way, helping make this the greenest Christmas yet.