A family from Greater Manchester has been crowned Britain's top 'binfluencers' after revealing how their rigorous recycling routine and clever household swaps have saved them more than £2,000 in a single year.
From Bury to Britain's Top Binfluencers
Gemma, 42, her husband Chris, 43, and their 13-year-old son Tommy Lees from Bury were given the prestigious title by Biffa, the UK's leading sustainable waste management company. Their dedication over the past six years has not only helped them combat the cost-of-living crisis but has also made a significant positive impact on the environment.
Their commitment is so profound that their household wheelie-bin only needs emptying every 12 weeks. They achieve this by maintaining three separate waste bins in every room for paper, non-recyclables, and bottles/cans, plus an additional bin in the kitchen for flexible plastics.
Last month, Tommy's efforts were further recognised when he was named a recycling ambassador for Bury Council. As winners of Biffa's competition, the family also enjoyed a shopping spree at the Company Store to stock up on Christmas treats.
Simple Swaps, Massive Savings
The family's journey to becoming zero-waste advocates has been paved with practical, money-saving changes. Gemma, who is a Romani Gypsy from a community with a centuries-old history in the UK's rag-and-bone recycling trade, shared some of their most effective hacks.
"Just swapping kitchen roll for a washable version has saved us £1,389," Gemma revealed. "Using a stretch cover instead of cling film has saved us £432 and swapping kitchen foil for washable silicon sheets has saved £358." These are just a few examples from a long list of swaps that have collectively saved the family thousands of pounds annually.
Essential Christmas Recycling Guidance
With the festive season generating a significant amount of extra waste, Gemma and Tommy have offered their top tips to help Mirror readers recycle correctly and safely.
1. Battery Safety is Paramount
Never dispose of batteries, or items containing them like flashing Christmas lights or musical cards, in general rubbish or recycling bins. They pose a serious fire risk in waste trucks and recycling centres. Always take them to designated collection points at local shops or recycling centres.
2. The Wrapping Paper 'Scrunch Test'
To recycle wrapping paper correctly, perform the simple scrunch test. If the paper stays scrunched in a ball, it's likely paper-based and can be recycled. If it springs back open, it probably contains plastic or foil and should go in general waste. Remember to remove any plastic bows or tape first.
3. Cardboard, Polystyrene and Food Waste
Flatten clean, dry cardboard boxes for easy recycling. For polystyrene packaging, which many councils don't recycle, consider reusing it for crafts or packaging, or take it to a recycling centre. To combat food waste, shop for surplus items, cook only what you need on the day, and freeze leftovers.
4. When in Doubt, Leave it Out
The best rule for uncertain items is to place them in general waste (except batteries). This prevents contamination, where one dirty or non-recyclable item can cause an entire load of recycling to be rejected.
Georgia Gibson, Biffa's Social Value Manager in Manchester, praised the family: "It's great to see Gemma and Tommy's Christmas recycling tips, they are inspirational and their campaign to encourage more families to recycle is brilliant."
Gemma emphasised the importance of starting now: "There’s never a better time to start recycling... If people are thinking of new year’s resolutions to be greener in 2026 then why not make a start at Christmas."
