Post-Christmas 'dumpers' are being urged to exercise patience this weekend, with long queues expected at civic amenity sites around the county.

This weekend - the first following Twelfth Night, when all decorations are supposed to be taken down - is the busiest of the year at Essex's 22 sites.

With sites already reporting residents making good use of the recycling facilities available, staff are bracing themselves to meet demand.

Cllr Norman Hume, deputy cabinet member for recycling and waste said: "I'm pleased that the public is taking advantage of the facilties to recycle Christmas trees and other trimmings.

"We expect this weekend will be very busy and ask people to be patient," he said. Residents are advised to sort their waste before arriving to save time.

Wrapping paper, Christmas cards, gift tags and paper decorations (not foil items) as well as cardboard packaging can be put in cardboard recycling containers.

Exhausted real Christmas trees can be put into the green garden waste recycling containers, but remember to remove all the decorations first.

Christmas cards can be recycled at County Hall in Chelmsford.

Civic Amenity and Recycling Centres are normally open 8am to 4pm seven days a week.

Chelmsford's site is in Drover's Way, Springfield and details of other sites can be found on www.essexcc.gov.uk

Published Wednesday January 7, 2004

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