One of the best and worst things about the Holidays, is the sheer amount of Stuff. You can recycle and re-use much of it for other occasions throughout the year. Saving and re-using for next year can save a lot of time and money.
Here are some top Tips for Recycling and Reusing for the Christmas Season
1) Keep a separate can for your recycling. Stow it next to your regular garbage so you can take out both bags at the same time, saving time.
- Reuse Tip: Keep separate bin for reuse: Gift wrap, cards, ribbons are all reusable. Fold and save for next year or other occasions.
2) Involve your children in the recycling process. It’s a great way to educate them about it and get yourself some help at the same time.
3) A third of the waste thrown out in an average bin is food waste. Sites like Love Food, Hate Waste offer a range of solutions for leftover food that you can use at home to minimize your waste volume.
- Reuse Tip: Extra Food? Take to your neighborhood shelter, Freeze for another occasion or share with friends.
4) Recycle old jars – any kind of glass jar is accepted by most recycling outlets. Simply wash the contents from out of them, let dry, and include with your other glass in your recycling bin on the next round.
- Reuse Tip; Jars can be reused for amazing amounts of crafts and storage options throughout the year.
5) Remember to tell your guests where the recycling bins are located when you throw that party and save yourself the trouble of segregating the trash yourself.
6) Even chocolate tins are recyclable! A lot of unexpected items will pop up this season that you never thought were recyclable, so make sure to do your research instead of just lumping them all in your regular garbage bin.
- Reuse Tip– Donate chocolate tins or give away to those who can’t afford, you can also reuse for gift wrapping later in the year.
7) Worried about using too much paper for wrapping? Use cloth instead! A Japanese method called ‘furoshiki’ helps reduce wrapping paper waste while still keeping your presents wrapped festively and colorful. Read more about furoshiki here.
- Reuse Tip: Wrap presents in reusable bag, makes a great additional gift that keeps on giving the whole year.
8) Keep an eye out for gifts with packaging that can be recycled or reused. Gift bags are a great example of something you can reuse over and over again. Some retailers package their wares in plastic containers that you can reuse at home to store food in.
- Reuse Tip: I have started saving cereal boxes and have used them for gift wrapping. Decorate with old christmas cars, ribbons and other objects.
9) With the influx of presents, people will be clearing out their old appliances and possibly furniture, too. Donate your old stuff instead, don’t throw them away! Get in touch with your local charity or Salvation Army to pass your old things off to someone who may be able to get some more use out of it.
10) Use heavy-duty, made from 100% recycled material plastic bags to dispose of your waste and garbage. PlasticPlace.net offers a wide variety of plastic products designed to fit every application.
11.) Recycle Your Christmas Lights, many places offer light recycling, google christmas lights recycling in your city and state.
12. ) When putting away your Holiday decor, don’t throw away the old stuff, it all can be donated to a local charity.
I wrap Christmas presents in the Sunday funny papers.
True enough, many of us complain due to the pile of garbage we see after the holidays. From crumpled gift wrappers to unwanted presents just thrown in the bin, waste is indeed a problem. I do hope that more people will support ‘green’ living when they think of shopping for their Christmas presents.