Let’s make it a Green Christmas
Christmas may be the most wonderful time of the year, but it’s also one of the most wasteful. When the madness of Christmas is over, many people are shocked by the amount of waste left behind by packaging, wrapping, broken decorations and unwanted gifts, which may eventually end up being sent to a landfill where it damages the environment.
The impact of COVID-19 has brought many challenges to the country and has severely impacted our retail sector. However, despite this pandemic closing shops and businesses for a prolonged period, it is estimated that our online packaging waste (paper, cardboard and plastic) has increased by 25% in 2020, which is the equivalent of 15 million standard sized parcels (nine parcels per household) weighing in at 2,953 tonnes (above figures obtained from REPAK).
But it’s not just the packaging waste that increases at this time of year, the amount of food waste that goes straight from our fridges or cupboards to our bins increases significantly as well, particularly for foods that are deemed traditional but not enjoyed by everyone at the Christmas table.
Another issue is the surplus of gifts at Christmas and the waste these also produce including electrical and electronic equipment along with batteries needed to power these devices.
Cavan County Council is encouraging members of the pubic to think “Green” this Christmas and is asking consumers to be more environmentally aware and make a conscious effort to reduce waste and recycle better during the festive season and continue to do so in 2021.
Top tips
Here are a few simple tips that will help make it a greener Christmas for everyone:
Cut down on what you buy. We all like to show our appreciation to family and friends and often buy too much. Be considerate – think about what you are buying and where you are buying it from. More isn’t always better.
Avoid buying over-packaged items.When it comes to wrapping, steer clear of foil gift wrap and anything with added glitter. The ‘scrunch test’ will tell you if you can recycle it: crumple a piece of wrapping paper in your hand – if it unfolds when you open your hand, it can’t be recycled. Paper that stays scrunched up in a ball is safe to put in your recycling bin.
Reuse existing gift bags, wrapping paper or ribbons.
Buy local. Buy local and support Cavan businesses and crafts people.
Choose Fairtrade products.
Give more. Giving presents doesn’t mean giving “stuff”. Give experiences such as tickets for a show, event or classes. Consider a charity donation in someone’s name.
Choose recycled gifts. Buying gifts made from materials that might otherwise end up in a landfill is another great way to give something great, and help the earth at the same time.
Give a gift you make yourself, such as jams, chutneys and mince pies.
If getting a takeaway beverage, bring a reusable cup or bottle with you.
Use up leftovers. The best way to prevent food waste is to plan ahead for using leftovers from your fabulous festive feasts. Make soups from leftover Christmas vegetables, and sandwiches and curries from turkey and ham.
When decorating your home, choose your decorations wisely. While tinsel plays its part in making your house sparkle at this time of year, it can’t be recycled. So try to limit how much you buy and keep what you have to use year on year. Remember, when fairy lights are no longer working, they can be recycled at any of our Civic Amenity Centres.
Consider using more natural decorations such as ivy, fir cones, mistletoe and holly. The look festive and can be composted if they are not covered excessively with glitter.
Repair: Close the loop on product lifecycles, especially on electrical and electronic waste. These products should be designed in a way that makes them more repairable. For more information on where you can get items repaired check out www.repairmystuff.ie.
Recycle your natural Christmas tree. Real trees have lower carbon footprints than artificial Christmas trees. Choose a real tree and recycle it at any of Cavan County Council’s Civic Amenity Centres. If you have an artificial tree at home you would need to re-use it for at least 10 Christmases to keep its environmental impact lower than that of a real tree.
Remember the batteries. Use rechargeable batteries where you can and ensure any regular batteries are recycled. Many local supermarkets, libraries and WEEE collection centres have collection boxes.
Recycle plastic bottles, glass bottles and jars, aluminium and tin cans and textiles at your local Recycling Bring Centre or Civic Amenity Centres.
Reimagine your New Year’s Resolution for 2021. Commit to one thing that will help our environment. Take part in a Street Clean Up, upcycle a piece of furniture in your home, reduce the use of single use products, etc.
Think of the seven 'Rs' – Rethink, Reimagine, Restore, Recreate, Reduce, Reuse and Recycle.
For more information on how to recycle correctly, visit