Festive shoppers are asked to think outside the box this year as figures reveal the scale of Somerset’s cardboard culture.

The cardboard collected from the average Somerset home has increased by more than a third compared with pre-Covid levels, as more people than ever have been shopping online.

Nearly 16,800 tonnes were collected from county kerbsides in the 12 months up to the start of October, an average of 65kg per household compared to 47kg in 2019-20.

While Somerset Waste Partnership (SWP) and its collections contractor Suez make sure this is recycled in the UK. Producing it and collecting cardboard has a carbon cost that contributes to climate change.

The extra loads also put a strain on hardworking crews who have worked throughout the pandemic, coping with record levels of waste.

At the festive season nears, SWP is asking shoppers cut the card to help the planet and the Somerset economy.

Mickey Green, SWP managing director, said: “The online offer is part and parcel of shopping today, but it doesn’t have to be the answer for everything.

“Gifting experiences rather than things helps cut the card while giving loved ones something to look forward to in 2022.

“Shop off-line and local and you can put a dent in the cardboard mountain that always comes immediately after Christmas, and you’ll be supporting local businesses and jobs at the same time.”

Larger pieces of cardboard can also be recycled at all 16 of Somerset’s recycling sites.

See somersetwaste.gov.uk/recycling-tracker for more detail.