The Isle of Wight Council has issued advice to help people buy sustainably and recycle over the festive period.
Cllr Jonathan Bacon, cabinet lead on environment waste and heritage, said:
“We would like to thank Island residents for their hard work this year in helping us achieve and maintain a 55.7 per cent recycling rate on the Island and for continuing to support the recycling and waste service.
“We’re asking (everyone) to do their bit for climate change and the environment by shopping local and trying to reduce packaging where possible when choosing gifts and food.”
According to Lets Recycle figures, the UK Waste sector is responsible for 25 mega tonnes of CO2, equivalent to powering seven million homes per year.
Here’s some handy tips on making small differences towards a more sustainable Christmas.
Reduce
- Using recyclable wrapping paper will help. Any wrapping paper that is made of foil or has glitter on is not recyclable.
- Use non-glittery ribbon and non-glittery Christmas cards as these can also be recycled.
- Get the children involved and re-use old or unwanted Christmas cards by making gift tags out of them.
- If you want a real Christmas tree – try buying a small potted one that you can grow and bring inside for the Christmas period each year.
- Set your heating on timed periods at 21c instead of on constant at a low temperature. This is more cost effective.
Reuse
- Love Food Hate Waste has great recipes for reusing leftover Christmas food, including turkey tikka curry, mince pie ice cream and cheeseboard macaroni.
- Think before you throw - could others benefit from your old items like furniture, appliances or clothes? Charity shops accept donations of useable items or you can use the council’s free reuse service for larger items.
- You can donate any unwanted toys/ bicycles at Lynnbottom or Afton Marsh HWRC for re-use.
- Clean foil and trays can be reused or recycled.
Recycle
- Excess recycling that won’t fit in your green bin or blue gull proof sack can be placed in clear or white sacks to the side of your containers on your recycling day.
- If you can’t live without sparkle this Christmas, try looking for plant-based, vegan glitter.
- Old, unwanted clothes can be donated to charity shops, placed in charity collection bins, or you can take advantage of the council’s textiles collection scheme.
To do this, place clothes in a clear or white sack and leave them to the side of your green recycling bin or green gull sack on your recycling collection day only.
Any clothing that can’t be reused is often shredded and made into new materials, such as for mattress or pet bedding filling.
Further details about all waste and recycling services can be found online at www.iwight.com/waste
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