WREXHAM residents are being urged to conquer their cardboard.

As part of Recycle Week 2020, which is held between September 21-27, Wrexham Council hopes that residents will get even better at recycling in order to help Wales become the number one recycler in the world.

Cardboard can be recycled at the kerbside, and although many residents in the County Borough are already doing this, the council state that it is well worth reminding ourselves how to recycle cardboard correctly.

A spokesperson for the council, said: "For your cardboard packaging to get recycled, we need you to do more than just take out your item and drop the rest of the contents in your paper recycling.

"And we mean everything, so, any tape, staples, bubble wrap, plastic film etc must be removed from your cardboard box before you recycle it.

"Unfortunately, some of us aren’t doing this and we’re just taking our item from the box and not thinking about what other materials might be left behind."

In some cases, the council confirmed that in some of their recycling centres, they have found clothes, rugs, food and mixed plastics in with cardboard, so they have strongly advised residents to stop and take a look at what else they might be leaving behind.

Cllr David Bithell, deputy leader of the council and lead member for environment and transport, said: "The only materials that you should be putting in your blue sack or top wheelie box are cardboards and papers, so any bubble wrap, film or tape should be removed beforehand.

"It’s a small thing people can do to help, which makes a massive difference."

To get the most out of recycling boxes and bags, it is important that residents flatten their cardboard boxes, as otherwise they will fill up very quickly.

More than ever, the council have had to have very strict hygiene precautions in place, and because of this their operatives cannot touch any recyclables, which means that they cannot pick up any loose cardboard.

If recycling boxes and bags get full, residents can leave the extra recyclables in solid containers next to their other recycling on their collection day, and the council will recycle the materials and leave behind the extra containers, for them to use again.

The council highlight that the only safe way for them to take extra recycling is for residents to sort it correctly and leave it in separated solid containers for them, with no plastic bags and unless residents do this, they will be unable to take it away.

Cllr Bithell added: "Taking the time to flatten cardboard so that our workers can empty your bags and boxes straight into the vehicle compartment – without touching any materials – is a really important part of keeping them safe.

"So, the next time that package arrives, please take the time to recycle everything correctly, it makes a big difference.

"We thank everyone for their understanding on this."