Recycling at Christmas

Christmas is one of the most waste-intensive weeks of the year. Gift packaging, wrapping paper and leftover food all contribute to an increase in household rubbish, and many people find it harder to recycle properly at the exact moment waste peaks.

To better understand how households cope during the festive period, Sortera surveyed 500 UK adults about their post-Christmas waste levels and the challenges they face once the celebrations are over.

This research was inspired by a clear pattern in Google Trends data: every year, searches for “recycling” spike sharply during the week after Christmas, known as “Twixmas.” People want to recycle more during this period, but something is preventing them.

To uncover what’s behind this annual surge and why recycling becomes more difficult for so many households, Sortera ran a nationwide survey to capture real experiences and frustrations around Christmas waste.

GoogleTrends: “Recycling” Spikes at Christmas

A five-year search trend showing a consistent rise in “recycling” interest during the week after Christmas, the insight that sparked this research.

Volume of Excess Waste Produced After Christmas

Most UK households generate at least one extra bin bag after Christmas and more than a third produce three or more.

Causes of Christmas Waste Increase

Excess packaging and wrapping materials are the biggest drivers of seasonal waste, exceeding all other sources.

Overall Results Spreadsheet

Christmas Waste & Recycling Guide

Simple, festive, practical tips to help households reduce waste and maximise recycling during the busiest waste week of the year.

Adam Herriott, Senior Specialist at WRAP said, “Last Christmas brought a surge of packaging and Christmas wrapping into our homes and, when the bins start to overflow, it’s easy to think 'Santa Baby bring me a bit more space'. The good news is that a few simple habits can make sure your day runs smoothly. Simple steps such as flattening boxes, reusing gift packaging, and checking any changes to local collections all help keep valuable materials in circulation.”

He added, “With the right information and a few easy habits, it’s absolutely possible for households to stay on top of their recycling through the festive rush. And if you’re ever unsure, and don't know what to do then All I Want for Christmas, Is You to check the Recycle Now Locator which can tell you what you can and cannot recycle in your local area and also has clear, practical guidance to help you put the right things in the right bin.”

Methodology

This research was carried out using Pollfish in November 2025 with a nationally representative sample of 500 UK adults aged 18+. Soft regional quotas were applied to ensure balanced coverage across the UK. All results reflect self-reported household waste and recycling behaviours following Christmas.

While interest in recycling rises after Christmas, households often feel overwhelmed by the waste they generate and limited by bin capacity, schedules and packaging.

By sharing these findings and providing practical guidance and tips, Sortera aims to help households recycle more effectively during the busiest waste week of the year and to support more sustainable habits across the festive season.