Did you know?
- Ireland was expected to generate 97,000 tonnes of packaging waste this Christmas
- Ireland currently recycles 31% of all plastics, but this needs to increase to 50% by 2025 under EU Legislation
- 25% of contamination in recycling bins comes from domestic customers. This means it must be sent for incineration. Learning which items can and cannot be recycled, and putting any recyclable packaging waste, into the recycling bin clean, dry and loose is important if we are to reach the 50% target
- 67% of us are likely to save wrapping paper from other occasions to use on Christmas presents
Why is this important?
- Over the festive season we produce 25-30% more waste than at other times of the year
- We waste a third of what we buy at Christmas
- With packaging waste generation at its highest at Christmas, recycling correctly now season is critical to building a circular economy, otherwise recyclable products cannot continue to be used in the manufacturing of new items and go to waste instead
- Over 50% of gifts we receive at Christmas are considered useless
- Being more conscious of our purchases makes recycling easier. There are beautiful reusable alternatives to items like tinsel and plastic, that cannot be recycled, like colourful paper bunting and decorations.
What can I do?
- Most Christmas cards, wrapping paper and gift tags can be put into your household recycling bin – just be sure to remove any tape or decorations. if you have any with glittery, metallic sections or ribbons, tear these off first
- Tinsel, cannot be recycled due to its metallic content, so reuse it where possible, or dispose of it in your general waste bin
- Foil wrapping paper, cannot be recycled due to its metallic content. Neither can glittery or laminated wrapping paper, if you put these in your recycle bins the whole lot might go to waste instead
- All plastics, including soft plastic (anything you can scrunch in your hand) can go in the recycling bin along with all your empty sweet and biscuit wrappers, paper and cardboard but they must be clean, dry and loose or none of it will be recycled. Greasy cardboard and soiled tissue cannot be recycled
- When sourcing a real Christmas tree, make sure it is shredded or composted after ChristmasÂ
- Most artificial trees cannot be recycled but If you do have one, make sure to store it securely so that it can last as long as possible
For more information
Advice on how to recycle items of waste
Christmas Recycling Advice
https://www.recyclenow.com/news-and-campaigns/christmas-recycling
Info from local Recycling Companies
https://www.barnarecycling.com
