RSPB Scotland's Molly Martin shares some tips for dealing with Christmas waste.
What can you do with Christmas waste?
Christmas is a time of indulgence and treating yourself and those you love to good food, great times, and possibly a present or two (if you’ve been behaving yourself). It’s a big ol’ party of a season, but I can’t be the only one who finds the aftermath a bit overwhelming. It seems that there’s an enormous amount of waste produced, from wrapping paper and cards, to preparations from your Christmas dinner.
Of course, it’s on a lot of people’s minds to reduce the amount of waste produced in the first place, but I’ve rounded up a few hints and tips for what to do with the unavoidable stuff that’s left over at the end of the day.
Wrapping paper + tubes
Watching someone carefully unwrap a present you’ve really taken time over choosing or making is a lovely feeling, the kind that fills you with warmth that lasts longer than your hot choc. And the mystery and anticipation of concealing your gift is key to this! To reduce waste, you could try putting presents in reusable boxes or gift bags, or wrapping them in fabric. If you are using wrapping paper, use recycled and recyclable paper- nothing with glitter or plastic film on can be recycled, and string or ribbon makes a nice alternative to shiny bows or loads of tape. I wrap mine in brown paper and tie with string, and have a stamp and ink pad to make them a bit more jazzy!
Wrapping paper tubes can be used for crafts (perhaps a tube-based nativity scene?), turned into bird feeders, or can be composted. It’s best to shred cardboard and paper before composting, as this means there’s more room for air in the heap.
Christmas cards
Christmas cards are another nice way of showing someone you’re thinking about them at Christmas, and pose another waste problem! If possible you could try making your Christmas cards to avoid buying packaged ones, but if you do buy some, again try recycled paper, and avoid glitter or plastic which can’t be recycled. If you’re giving cards in person, use blank envelopes, or don’t seal them so they can be used again.
The cards themselves can be shredded and composted, or you can cut them up to use for next year’s gift tags!
Vegetable peelings and food waste
Food waste is a big problem at Christmas time. We’re all guilty of the occasional “eyes bigger than your belly”, or panicking that you haven’t got enough boxes of chocolates or tubs of crisps and overbuying. Anything unused and unopened can be donated to a food bank, saved for later, or shared with people who might have less. As is the case all year round, if possible try to buy food without excessive packaging, and in recyclable materials!
Vegetable peelings can go straight into your compost, and depending on your local facilities you might be able to compost the cooked stuff too. There’s also loads of ways you can use left-overs and make more delicious meals (turkey sandwiches I’m looking at you). Some food waste might also be appreciated by your garden birds - be sure to check what's safe first.
Unwanted presents
While we should all try to buy things we know to be wanted or useful, and not go overboard with our consumerism, it is possible you’ll receive a gift that you don’t want or can’t use. This is a great opportunity for re-gifting! See if you know someone who would want it, or look up a local food bank or refuge that would be grateful of unwanted gifts. You might not want that ugly jumper from a distant relative, but someone else will probably love it for years to come!
Let us know how you’re reducing waste this Christmas, if you have any other tips we’d love to hear them!