What will you be doing with your Christmas tree when it's stripped of its fairy lights and tinsel in three weeks' time? City of York Council's recycling team is offering advice on how to be environmentally friendly this Christmas.

Last Christmas over six million real trees were bought in the UK and most were thrown out after the festivities. This year York residents can recycle their tree and enter into a prize draw to win a fantastic prize as well as helping the environment.

The council is working in partnership with the councils of North Yorkshire and Yorwaste to provide Christmas tree recycling facilities. Residents who take their tree to either Foss Islands, Towthorpe or Beckfield Lane household waste sites for composting between Friday, 2 January and Monday, 12 January 2004 can collect a voucher to enter the free prize draw. Prizes include a UK weekend break, a Patagonia fleece jacket made of recycled plastic bottles or wine glasses made of recycled glass.

Kristy Walton, head of waste strategy, City of York Council said: "During the festive season the main source of extra rubbish is packaging, glass bottles, jars and drink cans - all of which can be easily recycled. We are advising residents to sort their rubbish into separate bags and take it to their nearest recycling bank or use their kerbside recycling service."

Christmas cards can be recycled at WH Smith and Tesco stores from Monday, 5 January, to Sunday, 1 February 2004 to help the Woodland Trust.

Residents can also recycle old clothes, toys or unwanted Christmas presents by taking them to their local charity shop, hospital, play centre or school.

For more information contact the recycling team on 01904 551503 or email recycling.team@york.gov.uk. Seasonal recycling advice is also available on the council's website at www.york.gov.uk/waste/christmas