Tips and tricks on how to include sustainability and recycling within your gifts and festivities.
By: Sydni Chieffo
The upcoming holiday season is incredibly known for large gatherings, a season of gifting, and major decorations. What happens when there is an increase in garbage disposal when this season ends?
A survey done by Avocado Green Mattress through OnePoll, which included 2,000 Americans, resulted in the fact that six in ten Americans waste more during the holidays than any other portion of the year. These numbers correlate with the gathered average of 43% more waste during the season. This waste comes out to be around 29 pounds of trash per week with different items being bigger offenders.
What top items are thrown away the most during the holiday season?
- Wrapping Paper (58%)
- Gift Bags (57%)
- Tissue Paper (53%)
- Food waste (53%)
Top Four Sources of Waste During the Holidays Graphic by Sydni Chieffo
Do people feel upset about waste during the holidays?
Yes! Within Avocado Green Mattress’ survey, it has been revealed that over half (54%) of the 2,000 participants noted that when they feel wasteful, it makes them less excited during the holidays for celebration. On top of that, 56% of the respondents believed that during this time they must choose between either being sustainable or enjoying the holiday season.
How can society combat harmful waste during the holiday season?
This issue of waste can be resolved by people thinking more about sustainability during the holidays. There are certain ways to make different products friendlier to the environment and which can help lessen harm towards the Earth. While there is a list of certain products that are not recyclable by any means, there are certain ways that we can upcycle or trade-in items rather than improperly dispose of them.
While most public trash and recycling spots detail basic rules for recycling, how do you determine what can be recycled during the holidays for more intricate items?
Millersville Trash and Recycling Signs Photo by Sydni Chieffo
What cannot be recycled from the holiday season?
- Certain Wrapping Paper (if made with dye, lamination, or additions of glitter or foil)
- Some also contain very little fibers that can be used in the recycling process
- Certain Bags (difficult to recycle if they have tape or tags attached)
- Bows
- Non-Corrugated Cardboard
- Glass/Plastic Tree Ornaments
- Batteries
- String Lights (via recycling bin)
What can be recycled/traded in from the holiday season?
- Real Christmas Trees
- String Lights (through places such as Lancaster Creative Reuse, Paz Metals Inc, and HolidayLEDs.com recycling program)
- Certain Wrapping Paper
- Heavily printed paper, but difficult to handle by repulpers
- Plain paper
- Paper Greeting Cards (non-laminated, foil, or glittery)
Real Christmas Tree Disposal in Lancaster Township
- Real trees may be disposed of during the one-day free collection hosted for the township on January 13th, 2024.
- If this time is missed, residents may purchase a $4 red tag to have their tree collected.
- Artificial trees are not involved in the free pickup as they require a $4 tag for collection.
Christmas Tree Photo by Sydni Chieffo
What is upcycling and how does it apply to the holidays?
Upcycling can be defined as reusing something to increase the object’s value and making it new. This term is the opposite of downcycling, which is a term used to describe typical recycling. Upcycling is beneficial in many ways, such as reducing waste, lessening the use of natural resources, and less carbon emissions. This method of giving items new life can be done to a variety of different things, such as clothes, furniture, ornaments, and more! Upcycling is also popular among those who purchase items from thrift stores and give old pieces life.
While on the topic of recycling and upcycling during the winter holidays, here are more ideas to help you towards a more sustainable lifestyle year-round!
Year-Round Holiday Recycling Ideas Graphic by Sydni Chieffo
How can ornaments be upcycled instead of disposing of them?
- Ornaments can be hidden as a pop of color in home decorations.
- Fill a decorative bowl with ornaments with fairy lights to make a centerpiece.
- A makeshift wreath can be made by gluing ornaments together.
- Indoor plants can have ornaments hung from different branches to add a pop of color.
Snowman Centerpiece with Repurposed Ornaments Photo by Sydni Chieffo
Lancaster Creative Reuse (LCR)
The non-profit organization in Lancaster works off of donations from the community to utilize landfill-prone materials. The center, which was established in 2009, works with a range of 15-20 volunteers to handle 1,000 lbs of material per week. These materials are then sold through the shop as supplies and are also used within their hosted classes.
For those who want to donate to the center, drop-off times can be arranged by contacting the center through Facebook, Instagram, or email via LancasterCreativeReuse@gmail.com. Donations that are on the larger side can only be done on Saturdays through appointment.
Wishcycling: Why Residents Should be Informed on Recycling
The term “wishcycling” was coined to describe how people will recycle waste in hopes of it going through the recycling, when in reality it causes more damage to the process of recycling. When it comes to recycling, especially during the holidays, it’s understandable to be confused on drawing the line between garbage and recyclables. The issue is, this simple confusion can result in loads of recyclables being unusable. Why? When non-recyclables get into a recycling batch, there is the risk of interrupting the process for recycling and potentially contaminating other recyclables, therefore potentially rendering an entire load of recyclables unusable! While it is nice to have recycling in mind, if you are in doubt, throw it out!
Meet Earth911.com
This recycling database was first formed back in the early 1990s to serve the Arizona area. As time has progressed, this website now serves the entirety of the United States and has become the largest recycling database in possibly the whole world.
Now, this site can be utilized to figure out not only where and how to recycle, but ideas surrounding how to upcycle, reduce your carbon footprint, and more. For those who are looking for certain recycling programs or areas, users can input the kind of item they are attempting to recycle and their zip code for the closest recycling opportunities.
Meet the Lancaster County Solid Waste Management Authority
The LCSWA prioritizes the values of rethink, recover, and renew. Working to provide coverage to Lancaster and Dauphin counties, this authority works towards spreading proper information on waste disposal and providing services to those in the area.
The LCSWA works to provide services ranging from trash and battery disposal, recycling drop-off, and more. There are multiple spots for drop-offs, landfills, and more. Lancaster also has a waste-to-energy facility. This facility works to reduce waste by 90% by taking solid waste and combusting it to make electricity, which also helps generate energy and reduce greenhouse gases.
Sources
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