Reduce Let’s waste less at Christmas!

We tend to generate more of everything around Christmas time, including waste and recycling, and so, we’ve put together some practical ways to help you waste less and celebrate more sustainably.

Many of the seasonal items we use over the festive period can be kept to use again the following year. Not only does this save you time and money, but keeping items in use for longer protects our resources and reduces waste.

To avoid any confusion, see our list of festive items to know which items can be reused or recycled.

It’s worth looking out for items that can be reused when you’re making your Christmas purchases or why not consider buying second-hand this year and give something preloved a fresh start with someone new.

With all the additional recycling we produce over Christmas it’s important that to ensure we’re recycling right. Remember that items for recycling should be clean and dry. No food or food residue should reach the recycling bin. To recap visit our recycle page, where you’ll find plenty of guidance.

Always recycle batteries and electrical items at a proper collection point, separately from other recycling, and watch out for hidden batteries. See our news article on batteries and visit www.recycleyourelectricals.org.uk, for further information.

We’ve put together a separate guide on Christmas food, to help you plan to avoid waste. However you choose to do it, let’s waste less at Christmas.

Pre-Christmas clear-out/ Christmas gifts/ Christmas gift wrapping/ Christmas cards/ Parcels and packaging materials/ Christmas decorations/ Christmas trees/ Christmas clothing

Pre-Christmas clear-out

It’s a good idea to have a bit of a sort through as Christmas approaches, to declutter before the decorations go up and to clear some space for new things. It’s an ideal time to re-assess the things you and your family still like and use, and it can provide the opportunity to rehome or pass on anything that is no longer wanted in time for someone else to enjoy at Christmas.

Christmas gifts

If you’re struggling to know what to get and looking for ideas, visit Hubbub to see their top 10 sustainable Christmas present ideas. A gift voucher can also be a good option for someone tricky to buy for.

It’s worth remembering that things don’t need to be bought new to be enjoyed! Sometimes new-to-you can be just as good!

Toys and games, in good condition, but no longer in favour, could be given away, sold or donated to charity. Many other charities accept toys and games in good condition but there are some that specialise in giving unwanted toys a second life, such as:

• Toys4life – https://www.toys4life.co.uk/

• Young Planet – https://www.youngplanet.com/

If something is damaged or broken, then it’s worth checking if it can be repaired. There are lots of repair cafes across Leicestershire, where people kindly volunteer their time to advise and repair items wherever they can. Why not view our repair day news article to see if there’s a repair café near you. Let’s all help keep toys in use for longer.

If you usually run a Secret Santa at work or with a group of friends, perhaps this year try and host a Second-hand Santa instead.

If you like to be creative, why not make your own Christmas presents? You’ll find plenty of inspiration online for Christmas crafts or edible gifts.

Try to avoid buying novelty Christmas clothing as gifts, such as Christmas jumpers. Research has shown that they just don’t get worn much before being thrown out.

Whatever you choose, think before you buy. Perhaps set a budget and remember that keeping a receipt can be useful to prevent a gift being wasted. Which, provide guidance on consumer rights advice on shopping and online shopping.

Christmas gift wrapping

Did you know that we throw away a whopping 227,000 miles of wrapping paper every year in the UK? That’s enough to reach the moon! There are a few simple things we can do to reduce this waste:

• Check what you already have before buying more
• Save any large pieces to use again next year
• Reuse a gift bag
• Have a go at wrapping with fabric that can be reused, instead of paper
• Use magazines that you’ve already read

When buying paper try and opt for paper that is labelled as recyclable or ‘widely recycled. Very shiny plastic laminated paper or metallic film isn’t recyclable or paper with glitter, metallic or plastic flakes.

Unfortunately, tissue paper and crepe paper aren’t recyclable either, the paper fibres are too short to be recycled and turned into anything else. Where possible keep these to be reused another time.

Before recycling, remember to keep all the ribbons and bows to use again next year.

Christmas cards

With postage costs increasing sending an e-card can save you money and reduce waste. If you do buy cards then try and opt for ones that are labelled recyclable and where possible avoid cards that are particularly shiny, with glitter, metallic designs and lettering or any additional stuck on motifs.

Remember that although recyclable, cards can be reused as gift tags the following year.

Parcels and packaging materials

With a gradual move towards card or paper, most packaging materials are recyclable now. Empty the packaging fully and remove any excess tape. Carboard can be flattened and left by the side of your bin but if it’s too big to go in, but please keep it dry where possible.

Soft plastic wrap, bubble wrap or air pockets can also be recycled. North West Leicestershire residents can take their plastic film to the supermarket if they can’t recycle it from home. Remove the air from air pockets beforehand.

Unfortunately, polystyrene, either in block form or small chips, can’t be recycled and will need to go in your rubbish bin. See our festive guide to know what can be reused or recycled.

Christmas decorations and other seasonal items

Decorations are usually built to last but if you are wanting a refresh this year, why not have a go at making your own. You can find plenty of DIY Christmas decoration ideas on Hubbub’s website. Alternatively, keep your eyes peeled for second-hand stuff near you and remember to rehome anything that you’re clearing out, providing it’s in good condition.

Broken baubles and ornaments with sharp edges should be carefully wrapped before disposing in the rubbish bin.

If your Christmas tree lights aren’t working, see if they can be repaired before buying more. The iFixit website offers guidance or visit a local fixer group near you.

Christmas trees

Have you ever considered renting a Christmas tree? It will come in a pot with roots intact, but you can select the size that works for you and return it after the festive period. Potted trees can sometimes be planted out to keep for the following year, but it is worth checking first if that’s your plan. Artificial trees have a much larger carbon footprint but keeping them in use for ten years or so, will balance out the environmental impact. If you do tire of it before then, try and find it a new home to spread the joy to someone else.

Christmas clothing

Tired of your festive clothing? Research shows that two out of five Christmas jumpers are only worn once over the festive period. With Christmas Jumper Day being a regular charity event that schools sign up to try not to feel pressured into buying something new. Visit Hubbub and find out how to make your own sustainable Christmas jumper, or see if you can arrange a jumper swap at schools to keep festive clothing in use for longer.