THERE will be 2,700 more tonnes of recycling and rubbish left out on Somerset's kerbsides in January following the festivities.

That’s a 17 per cent rise, equating to 100 rubbish trucks stacked on top of each other.

Christmas cheer is set to bring an extra 720 tonnes of glass, 110 tonnes of cans, 125 tonnes of plastic bottles, 560 tonnes of paper and card from wrapping, gift boxes and Christmas cards, and 650 tonnes of rubbish, while leftover food will weigh in at 230 tonnes.

With a total of 18,500 tonnes of recycling and rubbish to shift, not counting garden waste, residents are reminded that festive waste collections will be two days later after Christmas and one day later after New Year.

Collections that will be two days later are those on Wednesday to Friday, December 25, 26 and 27, which will be picked up on Friday to Sunday, December 27 to 29.

Collections that will be a day later are those on Wednesday to Friday, January 2 to 4.

Garden waste collections are suspended over Christmas, with the last collection on Friday, December 20, and collections resuming on Monday, January 6.

A Somerset Waste Partnership spokesman said: "Thousands of tonnes of extra recycling and rubbish is tough to handle, but our hardworking collection crews and recycling site staff do a great job.

"Please help them by sorting everything carefully before you put it in your recycling box, and taking large amounts of any materials, especially cardboard, to your local recycling centre."

January sales and Christmas presents result in more items being taken to recycling sites in January, including an extra 53 tonnes of fridges and freezers, 52 tonnes of cookers and washing machines, 17 tonnes of kettles, toasters and other small electricals, and 13 tonnes of televisions.

All recycling sites are closed on Christmas, Boxing and New Year's Day - check other times at somersetwaste.gov.uk

The SWP spokesman added: "We ask all residents to help themselves and waste workers by reducing their waste where possible, considering what could be reused by someone else and choosing recyclable materials.

"The best things you can do with your Christmas tree are to compost it at home, take it to any recycling site, use a local council drop-off or chipping point, or book a charity collection where available.

"Garden waste subscribers only can add their undecorated tree under 6ft to their garden waste collection from January 7."