Christmas is just around the corner — it’s the time when we annually overeat,
overspend and produce more waste than any other time of the year.
As a country, we produce 30% more waste over Christmas. The equivalent of
two million turkeys are thrown away every year.
Our celebrations don’t have to cost the earth. Together we can make a big difference, without losing any of the Christmas magic.
Wrapping, ribbons, plastic trees and decorations are in abundance in the lead-up to Christmas, but often end up in landfill once the fun is over.
A little creativity goes a long way when it comes to wrapping presents. You can
use old newspapers and magazines, or last year’s wrapping paper perhaps, even old linen.
Gift bags can be reused time and time again. However, if people are receiving gifts that have paper wrapping, then just remember you can either reuse it next
year or make sure you recycle it in your kerbside bin.
Wrapping paper can be recycled, but plastic cellophane or metallic wrapping
goes to landfill, as does tinsel. Tinsel is plastic, so avoid it if possible. Otherwise make sure it’s being used year after year.
There are wooden decorations at a lot of arts and crafts stores, you could make your own if you’re crafty. Get the kids involved as well!
Up to 8 million Christmas trees are bought every December in the UK alone, which
is a lot of intense production and a lot of waste.
The best cut trees are ones from sustainably sourced plantations.
While plastic Christmas trees were not the greenest option, they could be justified if used over a long period of time. That way you get the best value out of the resources that went into making it.
The most sustainable option you could go for, if available, is one of the trees that you can actually grow in a pot and you can use it time and time again.
When it comes to Christmas lights, we recommended LED to reduce power output. It’s better if they don’t flash as that uses more energy.
To avoid unwanted gifts ending up in the rubbish, give jars of food and vouchers for experiences rather than ‘things’.
Speaking of unwanted gifts…those table Christmas crackers. How about getting crafty again?
There are recycling options made from recycled cardboard that can be decorated
however you’d like and filled with any gift inside you fancy. Here’s another chance to get children involved!
Also available are reusable linen ones and much more with a little googling.
When it comes to recycling, you can place steel and aluminium cans, plastic
and glass bottles, aerosols and clean foil trays in your Wakefield Council brown
bins.
Be sure to sort wisely and give recycled items a rinse first.
Everything else is for your green bins including food waste, polystyrene food
containers and plastic bags.
When shopping, use recyclable bags and look for products that have recyclable packaging, like cream and custard cartons.
We can all make little changes, or greener choices. Together we can make a big difference, without losing any of the Christmas magic.
