Christmas Recycling Guide

There’s no doubt that Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year, but did you know it’s also the most wasteful?

The holiday season brings in its fair share of joy and cheer, but for many households across the UK, it also leaves a hefty environmental impact. A study by Less Waste has shown that household waste increases by around 30% during the festive period, with homes across the UK spending 29% more than usual in the run-up to the big day. At Kedel, our environmental footprint is always at the forefront of our minds, so we’re taking a look at how planning ahead for Christmas can help reduce the amount of waste. From reducing food waste to cutting spending, we’re ready for a holiday that doesn’t put us on the naughty list!

Here are our top Christmas recycling tips

Christmas Trees

If you have a real Christmas tree this year, your local council should offer collections or drop-off points in January for you to dispose of it. Real Christmas trees are recyclable and are often shredded into chippings that can be used in parks or woodland areas. Alternatively, if your tree has been grown in a pot or container with the roots intact, why not plant it in your garden? You could even use it next year by moving it to a larger pot to allow the roots room to grow.

Christmas Cards

While Christmas cards may be dwindling in popularity, plenty of people still post their traditional cards each year. To properly recycle your cards, ensure any embellishments such as glitter or ribbon are removed from the cardboard and put in general waste. Musical cards should have their batteries removed and taken to the nearest battery recycling point. Find yours here. 

Christmas Wrapping

With the average UK household getting through 4 rolls of wrapping paper each year, it’s important to know how to dispose of it correctly. Foil or plastic-coated wrapping paper cannot be recycled, however, if it is in a useable condition, why not save it for next year? Eco-friendly alternatives such as paper made from recycled materials, or even reusable present bags, go a long way in cutting the amount of paper waste you can produce. 

Christmas Recycling

With more cans, glass, plastic bottles and foil used during this period, it’s important to keep on top of your recycling! Keep an eye on the Christmas collection dates offered by your local council, or arrange a trip to your local recycling facility to dispose of any build-ups during this period. For a reminder on how to recycle all of your food packaging correctly, take a look at our recent guide to household recycling.

Food Waste

Food is one of the biggest culprits when it comes to festive waste, and with more than half of UK households admitting to spending more than they should on Christmas food, it’s easy to see why! A study by Grundig reveals that a staggering 7 million tonnes of food are wasted at Christmas. That’s 2 million turkeys, 5 million Christmas puddings, and 74 million mince pies that are thrown in the bin while still edible. The main reason for this is poor planning or overbuying due to a fear of not having enough for everyone. To avoid this, we recommend getting organised well in advance. From perfectly planned shopping lists to using portion calculators and researching leftover recipes, there are plenty of ways to cut your waste. Check out Love Food Hate Waste for more eco-friendly ideas!

How to cut your Christmas waste

If you’re ready to enjoy a more eco-friendly festive season, here are some of our favourite quick tips to reduce your holiday waste!

1. Save your Christmas cards this year and use them to make custom gift cards for next year.
2. Save on wrapping paper by choosing practical gifts such as tote bags or scarves from their favourite stores and using these to wrap other presents. 
3. Shop locally to avoid excessive packaging that often comes from big-name retailers and marketplaces. 
4. If you are shopping online, unpack all presents early to avoid a huge build-up of cardboard and packaging on the big day. With reduced recycling collections over the holiday, it pays to stay on top!
5. If you’re stuck for gift ideas, why not consider buying an ‘experience’ or a voucher for a meal at their favourite restaurant? 
6. Organise your fridge and freezer in advance to avoid any food being wasted because there’s ‘not enough space’. 

At Kedel, we’ve made it our mission to reduce our environmental impact and do as much as we can to promote eco-friendly processes and products. If you’re looking to do the same, why not take a look at our product range for innovative recycled plastic products? From plastic decking to garden furniture, we’re here to help future-proof your home.