Green campaigners and the Post Office are hoping to set a new record for recycling Christmas cards this year

They are asking people to deposit their used cards in special collection points in 8,000 Post Offices, 3,000 schools and some youth groups across the country.

The cards will continue to be collected until January 31.

The organisers aim to collect 1,000 tonnes of used cards - 125 tonnes more than last year.

The target could be reached if everyone in the country donated just one card each out of the 700 million delivered to homes and workplaces this Christmas.

Christmas cards will be collected until January 31

The cards are sold to recycling companies and the proceeds are used to buy and plant new trees in Community Forests across the UK.

Land left derelict or scarred by landfill sites will be restored under the scheme.

Last year, 11,000 new trees were planted as a result of the initiative.

The Countryside Commission has pledged to match all the money received from the recyclers to boost the funds.

A similar scheme is being run by Boots the Chemist, also to help Community Forests.

Countryside Commission chief executive Richard Wakeford said: "Recycling Christmas cards makes a lot of sense.

"It reduces the waste going to landfill sites, saves precious natural resources, and raises funds to develop woodlands which people can enjoy."
 

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