Each year, Canadians increase their waste by 45% between Thanksgiving and Christmas. That’s nearly half a million tonnes of holiday waste going into the landfills each year. The majority of this litter is discarded gift-wrapping and shopping bags. We all can commit to trimming down the excess this year by taking some easy steps to reduce our holiday footprint.
One of the first steps in reducing our waste is knowing what can and cannot be recycled. Check with your municipality and stay up-to-date with what can go in your blue bin. Here are some holiday specific items to watch for:
- Clementine Boxes – Wood stays out of the bin. Find package-less fruit or get creative and repurpose the box into a festive craft.
- Holiday Lights – Lights stay out of the bin. Taking the time to discover and replace broken bulbs is good for your pocketbook and the planet. Please remember that broken bulbs need to go to the electronics recycling.
- Coffee Cup Lids – Enjoy an eggnog latte, and remember to remove the lid before recycling that red cup. Bonus points for lugging a mug.
- Party Trays – Everyone loves veggies and dip, but remember not to throw away the trays; they can be recycled in your blue bin or reused for your next party platter.
When putting together your shopping list, you can make a holiday waste reduction plan. Being mindful of your festive choices can have a positive impact on the environment. Here are some helpful planning tips:
1. Get your kids involved in reducing waste
Creating your waste-free holiday plan can be great fun for the whole family. Getting children involved can be a great way to teach them about reducing their waste.
You can start by taking inventory of the toy chest. Sort through underused, outgrown toys and books and bring them to the Recycle Rangers Toy/Book Swap from 1 – 3 p.m. on Saturday, November 28th at Sadlier House, 751 George Street North.
The swap will bring you “new-to-you” items that can be given as gifts and it’s a great way for children to swap for gifts for their friends.
2. Reuse or recycle electronics
Nearly 90 percent of our electronic waste can be recycled if done properly. When a new gift will be replacing a well-used electronic device such as a tablet, video game console, or cell phone, remember to dispose of the old one properly.
If it still works, you can donate it to a thrift shop where it will get a second life in a new home. If the old one doesn’t work, you can drop it off at the Household Hazardous Waste Depot, at 400 Pido Rd.
3. Buy rechargeable batteries
Invest in rechargeable batteries for electronics and toys. Overall, using rechargeable batteries saves you money and reduces the amount waste you produce.
If you do have old batteries, they should be disposed of at the Household Hazardous Waste Depot, or at a local drop-off location such as the GreenUP Store.
4. Buy handmade gifts
Buying local handmade gifts from artists supports the Peterborough economy and it usually results in zero packaging.
Check out seasonal craft shows and artisan fairs for great gift ideas. Check out the GreenUP Store for unique gifts that will inspire environmental action in the lives of your loved ones.
5. Wrap gifts eco-style
Most foil and paper gift-wrapping is not recyclable, so consider wrapping your gifts eco-style.
You can save your money and the environment by using alternatives such as newspapers, comics, maps, or cloth.
Try using a basket or your used clementine box to package up a gift, or you can reuse old holiday gift bags and save the ribbon.
6. Keep composting over the holidays
A blanket of snow brings the feeling of winter and holiday cheer and when we are huddled inside hibernating in the warmth, your composter is still warm and working hard.
When thinking about reducing waste, remember to continue to compost food scraps. Enjoy your holiday spread of turkey and fruitcake and remember that veggie waste can be put in the compost instead of the garbage can.
Although the composting process slows during the winter months, you can still add to your bin. The highs and lows of winter temperatures will assist the pile in breaking down.
7. Properly dispose of your Christmas tree
Whether you are trimming an artificial or a real tree, be conscious of its afterlife.
If you are disposing of a fake tree, you can try to donate it first before sending it to the landfill.
After the holidays, real trees can be placed at the curb for pickup where they will be mulched and composted.
The holidays can be associated with excess. With a few simple actions, we can reduce our holiday footprint and enjoy the season more by knowing we are celebrating sustainably.
For more information on the Recycle Rangers Toy/Book Swap or how to encourage your kids to reuse and recycle, please visit recyclerangers.ca. For more information on winter composting, green living, and the GreenUP Store, visit greenup.on.ca.
For details about what can go in your blue box, contact your local waste management services department or give GreenUP a call at 705-745-3238.
