Across the UK, Brits are expected to produce 30%* more waste this festive period than at any other time of the year. That’s an extra three million tonnes! To help prevent an unnecessary rise in waste levels, Veolia are asking Londoners to reduce and recycle this Christmas.
From food to gift shopping, the increase in consumption over the festive season results in Veolia collecting almost a third more waste over December and January than at any other time of the year. The numbers associated with festive season waste are staggering; over one billion cards will be sent, 227,000 miles of wrapping paper used, and 17.2 million sprouts thrown in the bin.
To help prevent a season of waste, Veolia have provided three easy tips to help Londoners celebrate sustainably this year:
Spread festive cheer online: E-cards and e-vouchers can brighten a loved one’s day, without generating any waste. Residents can purchase them online from the safety of their home and avoid unnecessary paper waste whilst sending (virtual) merriness.
Order online in one go: If you are buying physical presents online, ensure that you plan ahead to make one delivery per store. This will reduce packaging waste, some of which like bubble wrap and polystyrene cannot be recycled. It will also reduce the number of vehicles on the road, easing traffic congestion and decreasing the amount of harmful emissions that have a detrimental effect on air quality.
Plan your feast: 70% of Britains readily admit that they buy far more food than they need over the festive period. Don’t add to the mountains of food waste unnecessarily generated at this time of year and only buy for those you are sharing the day with, by planning ahead.
Preventing unnecessary waste over the festive period is essential to reducing London’s environmental impact. However where waste is unavoidable, residents must make use of their recycling service, to help preserve precious resources. Here’s how to recycle some of the most common by-products of the festive season:
Cardboard boxes: Cardboard boxes should always be recycled. Londoners are advised to flatten boxes to save space and avoid overflowing their recycling bin. To do this, open up the box and fold it down before putting it in the recycling bin.
Plate scrapings: Try out new recipes to make the most of leftovers, so usable food isn’t wasted. Any remaining crumbs or plate scrapings should be recycled using residents’ food waste service or composted.
Glass bottles and aluminium cans: Glass and aluminium are also highly recyclable and can be remade into new items again. Always recycle these in the correct recycling bin.
Christmas trees: Please do not fly-tip any used Christmas trees. Whether real or fake, there are legitimate reuse and recycling options across the capital. Residents should check their local council website for services available to them.
Batteries: Londoners can recycle used batteries by removing them from devices and taking them to battery recycling collection points at their local Recycling Centre or at major supermarkets. Residents should check their local council’s website for information on battery recycling services. Batteries cannot be disposed of in household recycling bins.
Pascal Hauret, Municipal Director of Veolia UK, said: “Christmas is a time where we all tend to create a bit more waste than usual, so it’s vital that Londoners reduce, reuse and recycle this festive season. We hope that our tips remind people of the small things they can do to celebrate more sustainably, which makes Christmas all the more special. After a tough year, we’d like to extend our best (sustainable!) season’s greetings to you all.”
