MUSSELBURGH residents are being asked to donate their Christmas cards for recycling.

The initiative has been organised by local environmentally friendly and anti-litter group Love Musselburgh.

Founder Melanie Roccio said: “The cards that are donated will be passed on to craft groups and others in Musselburgh and surrounding areas who can use them to make new cards or gift tags. There is no official cut-off date but I’m sure most people will be getting rid of their cards in the next week or so.

“The Christmas card recycling project is hopefully a way to give non-recyclable cards a second use before going to landfill. I’m hoping this will also highlight the issue of waste generated over Christmas time.

“Around one billion cards end up in UK bins every year and so many of those are covered in glitter or foil, making them non-recyclable. Choosing cards, wrapping paper and gift tags made from recyclable materials will convert a huge amount of waste from landfill.”

Drop-off points have been set up at the town’s Mint Fig, Blueberry, Wilson’s of Musselburgh, East Coast restaurant and Ravelston House Hotel.

Melanie said: “It’s great to have local, independent businesses supporting this project and I’m really grateful to all of them.”

Anyone who would like cards to reuse should contact Love Musselburgh via Facebook.

The group, along with Cycle Connections, has also organised a Big Clean 2 in the town on January 26, 11am-2pm. Litter picking and graffiti removal will be targeted. There is a limited supply of equipment, so participants are asked to take along their own gloves and litter picking sticks if they have them. Anyone interested in getting involved in the event should meet at the Old Town Hall.

Melanie said: “We will focus on that end of High Street, Kerr’s Wynd and Newbigging.

“We’ll also be engaging with the public to highlight the issues concerning them. All are welcome but, due to the busy location, it may not be suitable for very young children.”