As the Nation is going red, white and blue in June, Nottinghamshire residents are reminded to think green whilst celebrating the Platinum Jubilee. Nottinghamshire County Council and Veolia, its waste and recycling partner, are sharing some top tips to host a great party without compromising the environment.

Throughout Nottinghamshire, families, friends and neighbours are getting together to celebrate 70 years of our queen’s reign. Queen Elizabeth II is the first British monarch to reach this milestone and to mark the occasion we are being given an extra Bank Holiday.

Councillor Neil Clarke MBE, Cabinet Member for Transport and Environment at Nottinghamshire County Council said: “We know Nottinghamshire residents want to do what they can to help the environment and minimise the impact of climate change. Sometimes the small changes we make have significant results and we’re delighted to share some simple ways to reduce the environmental impact of your Platinum Jubilee celebrations.”

If you’re planning a party there’s plenty you can do at every stage to minimise your impact on the environment:

  • Cater for the right number of guests to avoid any food going to waste
  • If there is any food leftover – make sure you store it correctly and use it in a tasty leftover recipe the next day! Or you could even let your guests take some home with them.
  • Choose unpackaged products or those with minimal packaging that can be easily recycled like cardboard, plastic bottles, metal drinks cans or even glass jars and bottles
  • Avoid single use plastics and instead use reusable cups, plates, napkins, tablecloths, straws and cutlery
  • Keep decorations simple using natural materials or those that can be easily recycled like paper flags or hats or why not try to make your own bunting from old textiles? Take a look at our website for an easy to follow “how to” guide, https://www.veolia.co.uk/nottinghamshire/textile-reuse-online-workshops
  • Keep recycling bins handy for your guests to pop their empty drinks cans and bottles into
  • Consider collecting any glass bottles in a separate box or bag and taking them to any of the 12 recycling centres that are open everyday (including bank holidays) from 8am until 8pm or a local bottle bank
  • Check what you can and can’t put in your recycling bin in Nottinghamshire - remember you can recycle your plastic bottles, yogurt pots and spread tubs but NOT your plastic punnets, trays, film covering or bags. You can recycle cardboard packaging but NOT takeaway pizza boxes or used paper napkins. 
  • For some great environmentally friendly party ideas take a look back to the street parties in the past that celebrated the queen’s coronation. Reusable cups and plates were the order of the day and decorations included vases of garden flowers and handmade bunting! For more information about how to organise a street party, visit the Platinum Jubilee page on the Nottinghamshire County Council website: Platinum Jubilee | Nottinghamshire County Council

Councillor Neil Clarke continued, “If you have any top tips of your own please share them with us on Nottinghamshire County Council’s Twitter, Facebook or Instagram using the hashtag #NottsRecycles. Whatever you are doing to celebrate we hope you have a fantastic extended bank holiday weekend.”  

Lea Hawkes, General Manager for Veolia Nottinghamshire said: “Clearing up after a big party can feel overwhelming and recycling might not be top of the list. We ask that you think before you bin and remember to Recycle Right - that means knowing what you can and can’t recycle here in Nottinghamshire. Please visit our website for a handy reminder,  https://www.veolia.co.uk/nottinghamshire/nottinghamshirerecycles