It’s not particularly fun to think about but in order to protect our planet, we need to make sure that we recycle responsibly after the excesses of Christmas.
Here are just a few ways you can ensure that you’re doing your best for the environment this year:
1. Recycle your Christmas Tree
If you don’t own a shredder, take your Christmas tree to a recycling scheme that turns them into wood chippings or compost that can be used in parks or gardens.
It’s far preferable to dumping it in a landfill where it will take years to decompose and release methane which is believed to be 25 times more potent than carbon dioxide.
2. Recycle your wrapping paper
Most wrapping paper can go in the recycling bin but just make sure to remove any glitter or bows from your paper before you put it in.
Alternatively, if you have children, you can save the paper for make and do projects during the year!
3. Don’t be afraid to re-gift!
If you received three scarves, four bottles of perfume and more body lotion than you’ll get through in a decade, why not give them to charity?
Or, if there is someone in your family or friend circle who would like it, wrap it up in fresh paper and set it aside for their birthday or the following Christmas. It’ll be one more thing off your list!
4. Get creative with Christmas cards
Apart from just putting them into the recycling bin, another option for Christmas cards is cutting them in half and giving them to your kids for their artwork.
And why not ask them to draw what was on the front of the card? It will keep them occupied for hours…
5. Food, glorious food
It’s a sad fact but the truth is that we all overbuy when it comes to food for the festive season. Terrified of being left short, we bulk order things we don’t need and are inevitably left with a massive surplus.
Instead of throwing things out, why not have people over in the days after Christmas to use up the excess? As well as that, overripe fruit can be used for baking, stale bread and nuts can be put out for the birds and tinned goods with long use-by dates can be given to a local food bank.
