- Brits to have used approximately 300,000 tonnes of card packaging waste this holiday season, the equivalent of 515,000 reindeer[1]
- UK recycling rate for paper and cardboard is among the worst in Europe[2], with the amount of paper and packaging waste also growing
- DS Smith expert shares top tips to recycle commonly used festive items from crackers to wrapping paper – and even your tree
Brits are set to have used approximately 300,000 tonnes of card packaging waste this holiday season. Recycling figures from 20232 suggest that over a quarter of this packaging ended up not being recycled, equivalent to over 515,000 reindeers.
With the festive period ‘wrapping up’, families have spent time with family and friends, unwrapped their presents, and are making their way through the leftovers, but many Brits struggle to cope with the volume of packaging that comes during the festive period. From cards and wrapping paper, to crackers and fairy lights, confusion around the rules is causing many recyclable materials to end up in landfills or incinerators.
This comes as statistics show that the UK’s paper and cardboard recycling rate is lagging, with Brits ranking 25th out of 30 European nations for recycling rates at just 73%, compared to the European average of 82%[3]. Similarly, the UK household recycling rate was 44.1% in 2022, down from 44.6% in 2021.
To help people improve their recycling practices following the festive period, DS Smith’s seasonal sustainability lead, Samantha Upham, shares her top ten tips:
Ten tips to improve your recycling after the festive period
- Wrapping paper – Most families will end up with an abundance of wrapping paper following Christmas day, but not all wrapping paper is recyclable, some contain glitter, or have plastic coatings or attached materials which can contaminate the recycling process.
Samantha’s top tip: “Not sure if your wrapping paper is recyclable? A quick ‘scrunch test’ will tell you: crumple the paper, and if it stays scrunched up, it can be recycled. If it doesn’t stay crumpled it probably has a layer of plastic film so can’t be recycled.”
- Christmas cards – Much like wrapping paper, not all cards can be recycled. While plain card material is recyclable, cards with glitter, plastic badges, or electronics are not. If you can remove these elements, the rest of the card can be recycled.
Top tip: “If you’re faced with a glitter-covered card, don’t just toss it! Any attached pieces can be removed. Once that’s done, you’ve got a recyclable card ready to go. You can also save glitter-free cards for crafting gift tags next year.
- Wrapping tape – Despite common beliefs, not all tape needs to be removed from cardboard before recycling. But the less the better.
Top tip: ” Paper-based tape is recyclable and can be left on wrapping paper and cardboard where able. However, any plastic tape should be taken off if possible, and disposed of separately.”
- Christmas crackers – Christmas crackers are often recyclable if they’re made from cardboard but check for glitter or plastic linings.
Top tip: “ Use the tear test: if it rips easily, it’s probably free of plastic, if not, it can’t be recycled and may have a thicker plastic coating. If you’re particularly crafty, you could make your own toys and prizes for family and friends to win.”
- Christmas trees – Some may have opted for a real tree and others for an alternative that can be reused year after year, such as cardboard trees made from recycled material, DIY trees made from fallen branches and crafted wooden trees made from sustainably sourced wood.
Top tip: “If you did opt for a real tree, local tree recycling schemes turn your holiday centrepiece into other useful products. Look for drop-off points near you or use home pickup services.”
- Fairy lights – If you used battery-operated lights, remember to recycle the lights at dedicated points and bring used batteries to collection points.
Top tip: “Next year, switch to energy-efficient LED lights. They save energy and last longer, reducing waste and cutting your holiday energy bill.”
- Gift boxes/bags – Houses are often flooded with boxes from gift giving, so reuse leftover gift boxes and bags for future gifting. If you don’t have the storage space, you can break them down to save space in your bins and make recycling easier.
Top tip: “Keep a special box to store reusable gift bags and boxes. You’ll save money and be ready for birthdays and holidays throughout the year.”
- Food and drink packaging – Food and drink packaging can pile up during the festive period, but not all of it can be recycled as it is.
Top tip: “Always take off plastic films from food or drink cardboard packaging before recycling and rinse containers which have had food and drink on before putting them in the recycling bin. Don’t forget to leave time for the washed containers to dry! This helps to ensure the recycling process doesn’t get contaminated with non-recyclable materials.”
- Advent calendars – It’s nearly time to say goodbye to the advent calendars, but many contain a mix of cardboard, plastic, and foil which makes them challenging to recycle. Calendars made entirely of cardboard can usually be recycled, but any plastic windows or glitter should be removed first.
Top tip: “Going forward, opt for reusable advent calendars that you can refill each year with treats or small gifts. Not only does it cut down on waste, but it also adds a personal touch to your holiday tradition.”
- Recycling Rules – Whether you’re home or away during the festive period, make sure to check your local recycling rules and bin collection schedules as they can differ across different regions in the UK.
Top tip: “Check the local council’s website for recycling guidelines and revised bin collection dates over Christmas. Don’t forget to locate the nearest drop-off points as a back-up or if you need more space in your bin for recycling.”
Innovations in Food (& Beverage) Processing & Packaging is a bi-monthly magazine distributed globally in Digital format. www.innovationsfood.com. Twitter: @Innovfoodtech. Instagram: @innovationsinfoodtechnology. Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/terry-prior52
