As we kick off the vacation season of giving and celebrating, there’s an uptick in questions on Zero Waste wrapping, presents, and recycling. We obtained you. Every year, Eco-Cycle and the Metropolis of Longmont share the Zero Waste Vacation Information to supply methods to keep away from the often-cited statistic that People generate 23% extra waste in December than different months of the 12 months. Right here are some things you’ll be taught from the information:
• Name it a rap on wrapping paper. As a result of wrapping paper is usually clay and has little or no paper fiber content material, paper recycling markets should not a fan of the stuff, so it’s very troublesome to recycle. However there are some nice recyclable alternate options. The best is to only go for paper present baggage as a substitute of wrapping paper. They’re reusable, so while you get a present in a paper present bag, hold it for subsequent season. As soon as it’s worn out or ripped, it’s absolutely recyclable in your curbside recycling cart. Or get inventive and use different recyclable choices like posters, maps, blueprints and calendars. Or select a reusable wrap like cloth, pillowcases, towels and reusable present baggage.
• Assume exterior the present field. There’s a lot strain to provide “stuff” for the vacations, however there are some approaches to giving that will carry extra pleasure and which means with much less waste and environmental influence. Think about giving an expertise like an internet class, a visit to a museum or sporting occasion, a gymnasium or membership membership, or a donation to a non-profit group for the one who might have “sufficient.” Or give the present of your skills, like organizing, repairing, cooking, and babysitting.
• Select Reuse. While you do give a present, contemplate shopping for used. You’ll discover your {dollars} go loads additional for high quality presents like clothes, furnishings, artwork, sports activities gear, and lots of different merchandise in wonderful and even new situation while you purchase used at native thrift or used merchandise shops. Allow them to have the enjoyable of selecting out what they need with a present certificates from considered one of our native thrift retailers or from an internet thrifting web site like Poshmark.com or Threadup.com.
• Examine it earlier than you chuck it. The vacations produce a whole lot of supplies we don’t often generate at some other time of 12 months that we might not understand are recyclable at an area drop-off heart (NOT in your curbside recycling cart). So, earlier than you trash these damaged string lights, batteries, or vacation tree, examine the app. Obtain the Eco-Cycle A-Z Recycling app or the town of Longmont Waste Wizard app to search out out the place to take lots of of several types of supplies year-round.
There are much more sources, suggestions, and recycling data for holiday-related objects within the Zero Waste Vacation Information, out there at ecocycle.org.
-TeeCee
Do you will have questions on Zero Waste over the vacations? [email protected] has the solutions.
