RESIDENTS are being offered handy hints to help them crack down on their waste over the busy Easter period.

8,000 tonnes of waste is generated from Easter egg packaging and cards nationwide, while food waste also rises as families sit down for lunches together.

Let’s Waste Less Worcestershire has produced a guide to help reduce waste and improve recycling, including what should go in which bin.

The main one is buy wisely, choose eggs with minimal packaging, particularly those that use less plastic.

Egg-shaped plastic packaging and cardboard can be recycled in green bins, and foil wrapping can be recycled at a household recycling centre.

Other tips include sending E-cards and watching out for food waste.

Guy Revans, head of environmental services for the council, said: “Our bins often bulge at Easter time, so we hope these tips from Let’s Waste Less can help people who want to reduce their waste and recycle as much as possible. After all, it reduces the impact on our environment and saves us all money too.”

Richard Woodward, from Let’s Waste Less Worcestershire, added: "We want people to enjoy Easter but to do so without generating unnecessary waste that harms the planet and comes with a considerable disposal cost to the council taxpayer. We wish everyone a happy and waste free Easter.”