Glittery or foil wrapping paper and cards

Also called: glitter wrapping paper, glittery wrapping paper, foil wrapping paper, metallic wrapping paper, shiny wrapping paper, sparkly wrapping paper

General waste

National rules. Choose your council to see its answer.

Your council's answer

The answer can differ by council. Choose your council to see its rules for this item.

How to prepare it

  1. Glitter and foil are plastic or metal film stuck to the paper, so the whole sheet or card can't be recycled
  2. Put it in general waste
  3. Scrunch test: if the paper springs back, it is coated
  4. If only a small part of a card is glittery, tear it off and recycle the plain part
  5. Next year choose plain brown paper, or reuse paper and gift bags

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National rules

The answer isn't the same in every UK nation. Choose your council to see the one that applies to you.

England, Scotland and Northern Ireland

General waste

This can't be recycled here. Put it in your general waste bin.

This item can't be recycled at home, so put it in your general waste bin.

Wales

General waste

This can't be recycled here. Put it in your general waste bin.

This item can't be recycled at home, so put it in your general waste; check if your council also collects nappies and incontinence pads separately.

Wales-wide guidance, checked 27 Sep 2026. View the source

In our guides

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