Just about everyone loves Christmas. What’s not to love? Family, food and, best of all, presents! Did you know our waste grows to 50 kilograms per person through December? That is approximately 25 per cent more than any other month of the year. What can we do to reduce that, and still enjoy the holiday season?
The first thing that can help is making – and sticking to – a list to avoid impulse buys. This is a great tip all year long, but especially this time of year. How about giving a gift of an experience, instead of something people don’t need? Think of movie tickets, a gift certificate for a dinner out or a class in something they may have wanted to try, like yoga or painting.
Shopping local is great because things usually have less packaging, or try to chose products with less packaging.
Instead of buying plastic cutlery and disposable plates and cups, make a pact with family everyone will pitch in when it’s time for clean-up. Cleaning up as you go and giving everyone a job takes pressure off the host, and creates less waste.
When it comes to decorating, make it a family affair. Have everyone get together and make decorations from things you already have at home.
Have a scarf you never wear but it’s still in great shape? Wrap a present with it. Even colourful magazines you’ve read make great gift wrap – and then they can go right into recycling.
Holiday items disposal instructions, provided by Valley Waste (vwrm.com)
Ribbon, bows, string, shiny/ glitter wrapping paper – clear garbage bag or save to wrap future gifts
Paper wrap (only) – compost
Greetings cards – plain paper greeting cards – paper recycling; cards with glitter or other decorative materials – clear garbage bag
Cookie tins – container recycling blue bag or check online for lots of repurpusing ideas
Jute string – compost
Candy wrappers and snack bags – clear garbage bag
Gift bags with a coating – clear garbage bag
Clementine boxes – the balsam wood boxes have staples in them so, unless you remove them, the box goes in your clear garbage bag. Try painting them and using them for storage, a doll’s bed or a tray for your coffee table.
Christmas lights – clear garbage bag, or wait until Spring clean-up
Holiday wreaths – remove the wire, metal or plastic fastenings. Decorations or lights that cannot be reused go in your clear garbage bag. Natural parts of the wreath which have not been painted, like pine cones, berries and evergreen branches; can be composted.
Christmas crackers – clear garbage bag
Disposal plates and cutlery – clear garbage bag. Most disposal plates contain plastic. Use reusable plates and cutlery to cut down on waste.
Clean aluminum foil and plates – recycling bag with containers
Plastic mesh bags – clear garbage bag
Paper napkins or paper towel – compost
Fridge clean outs – ensure jars are empty and clean. Remove packaging before disposal. Unopened food that is still good may be donated to the food bank or other charitable organizations.
You may have an amazing holiday season while taking care of the environment and limiting the waste you create. Happy holidays!
