Britons risk incurring bruising fines for a simple mistake this Christmas, as experts issued a warning about wrapping paper. Many households will be decking out their homes with festive decorations, a yuletide feast of seasonal treats and a pile of presents wrapped ahead of the big day.

But the celebrations also often come with a huge amount of waste, and failing to observe rules about disposing of this material properly could seriously hurt your bank balance. Waste-management firm Wheeldon Brothers says fines for ignoring recycling rules or disposing of rubbish incorrectly can set you back hundreds of pounds, so it's best to make yourself aware of the potential pitfalls to avoid a nasty shock.

According to the waste experts, you may be hit with fines ranging from £60 to £200 just for putting things in the wrong recyling bin. The company says items like glittery wrapping paper, dirty food packaging or soft plastics are common causes of contamination.

"Contaminated loads are one of the biggest problems in December," a spokesperson for the firm said.

"Glitter and food residue make recycling much harder. Even one unsuitable item can spoil a full batch of recycling."

They recommend avoiding any wrapping paper that contains glitter, foil or plastic.

"If the paper scrunches into a ball and stays in shape, it is usually suitable for recycling," the spokesperson said.

But careless disposal of wrapping paper is just one way you can fall foul of the rules this Christmas. Exceeding bin limits by overloading it, or leaving extra bags next to it can lead to fines rising as high as £150.

They said: "If a bin lid does not fully close or if there are bags left on the ground, some councils class this as excess waste and will issue a penalty," the experts said. "Breaking down boxes and spreading waste across more than one collection really helps to avoid problems."

Another easy mistake to make is putting out your bins too early or too late due to the festive collection schedule, which can result in fines usually between £80 and £100.

Wheeldon Brothers says Christmas schedules aren't consistent, but checking your local timetable takes "only a moment and prevents many of the most common issues".

Fly tipping during clear outs can get you in particularly hot water, the company says. They say the illegal dumping of waste rises in the weeks after Christmas and can lead to penalties ranging from £150 to £400.

In more serious cases it can even lead to prosecution, they warn.

They said: "January is always a busy time for clear outs. Leaving waste next to full bins or disposing of items in public spaces is classed as fly tipping. Households should always use official recycling centres when they have excess materials."

The fines for tossing electrical items or batteries in household bins can range from £50 to more than £200. Rules are in place to prevent fires and environmental harm, and local authorities provide designated drop off points for electronics and batteries. Many supermarkets also accept used batteries.

"The amount of household waste increases significantly at Christmas," the spokesperson said.

They added: "This is when small mistakes can lead to unexpected fines. Councils are much more vigilant at this time of year because recycling contamination becomes a major issue and collection teams are under greater pressure. Being aware of what you can recycle is the simplest way to avoid unnecessary costs."