Did you realise that over Christmas we generate around 30% more waste than normal? Surprisingly most of this can be recycled.
All your wrapping paper, Christmas cards, wine bottles, glass jars and lids, plastic bottles, tubs, pots and trays, foil, tins and cans and drinks cartons can all be recycled.Visit your local council recycling and waste collection website page for information about local collections and recycling in your own area.
Recycling can take many forms, from taking unwanted Christmas presents to the charity shops or saving your wrapping paper for next year, there are many items that can be reused over Christmas, including cards which can be made into gift tags for next year.
Many collection sites across UK towns and cities are set up to recycle your real Christmas trees which are put through a wood chipper. The resulting woodchips are often used in parks and open spaces throughout your local area.
Many local councils have kerbside collection schemes, it’s worth checking if you have one in your area. If so your local council will provide you with a recycling box or bag so it’s well worth taking time to give them a call and check what recycling collections are available in your area.
It may surprise you to know that an estimated 500 tonnes of Christmas tree lights are thrown away in the UK over the Christmas period. Many are still in good working order and rather than dropping them into your bin why not donate them to a charity.
We all enjoy a few glasses of wine with our Christmas dinner, a small sherry for our favourite Auntie or some mulled wine when we come home from the children’s nativity show all adds up to a whopping 13,350 tonnes of glass which is thrown out in the UK during the festive season.
By recycling all of them the UK could save 4,200 tonnes of C02 equivalent being produced, which is equivalent to taking over 1,000 cars off the road for one year.
Taking a few simple steps towards recycling is a great way to teach our children the importance of living a ‘greener’ lifestyle that is both better or us and good for our planet.
Have you or will you be recycling your decorations? if so share your tips and suggestions below.
