With all the joy and magic that the festive season can bring, with family and friends getting together, it’s also one of the most wasteful times of year with food waste, decorations, wrapping, cards and packaging really mounting up!
In fact, Suffolk’s waste and recycling increases by around 8% at this time of year - that’s around an extra 1850 tonnes!
With budgets feeling a bit more squeezed this year, it's a great time to have a more sustainable Christmas which can save you money too!
Waste free gift ideas
- Handmade presents are the perfect way to save money and give something meaningful. Lots of ideas on Pinterest and online.
- Give second-hand a go for a unique and unusual gift! Check out reuse apps such as Freecycle, Freegle or Gumtree. Or head to our Reuse Shops or your local charity shop for any preloved festive items.
- Gift an experience – rather than a thing! Cinema tickets and restaurant vouchers always go down well.
- Give gifts a miss this year! Donate to a good cause instead?
Reduce that wrap!
- Reduce your wrapping paper by trying these alternatives instead. Or search online for even more ideas.
- If you do buy wrapping paper, buy the paper variety that can be easily recycled (no foil types please!) To find out which wrapping paper can be recycled, look at the 'scrunch test' video below:
Stay sustainable with your decorations and cards
- Dig out all your Christmas decorations and take stock before buying anything new. Could you mix things up or display in a different way for a new look? Or what about a decoration swap with friends or family? You could turn it into a fun festive evening exchanging a few baubles over a glass of mulled wine?!
- If you do have any decorations you no longer want, please donate for re-use at your local charity shop or online via Olio or Freegle so others can make use of them!
- Get arty! Make your own Christmas cards and tags using scrap materials or old cards from Christmas past.
- Or give cards a miss this year and send a WhatsApp message/video instead.
The post Christmas clear up....
And finally, during and after the festivities, please recycle as much as possible.
Click on the items below to find what can be recycled at home, taken to a recycling centre or bring bank!
