Easy tips for a green Christmas
With Christmas comes waste. Some simple steps can make your Christmas that much greener. First, know what can be recycled and what can be reused. Wrapping paper with foil, ribbons, bows and padded envelopes are not recyclable.
Think about reusing these materials before putting them in the garbage. Also don’t recycle “singing” gift cards. These cards have batteries that cause serious problems if placed with other recyclables.
Wrapping paper without foil is fully recyclable. If you can, buy non-foil wrapping paper. Also paper gift bags, normal greeting cards and shipping boxes are all included in local recycling programs.
Styrofoam and Christmas Day often go together. Keep Styrofoam packaging separate. Bring Styrofoam to a local landfill or the bottles depots in Penticton, Oliver or Osoyoos for free recycling. These depots can also take plastic bags and container glass.
Before and after Christmas all small electronic items and lighting equipment can be recycled at local depots. This includes Christmas light strings which no longer work, batteries and electronic toys. Depots include bottle depots in Penticton, Oliver and Osoyoos and some local landfills.
Food is another holiday staple that ends up in the trash. Add leaves to your compost bin if you have any remaining in your yard. Leaves are important to reduce odour and help breakdown materials.
Add any uncooked fruits and vegetables you need to get rid of and cover with leaves. Once the spring comes the leaves and food waste will break down quickly. Add water when you can to speed up the process.
Think about placing half-inch metal wire mesh under your compost bin. Available at hardware stores, it will keep critters from trying to stay warm in your bin this winter.
Finally, make sure you responsibly get rid of any natural Christmas trees. Landfills can take up to 500 kilograms of clean yard waste free any time of year. After Christmas some communities have drop-off or collection programs for natural trees. Contact your local government for details.
Garbage and recycling collection will be normal over the holidays. Regular collection will happen on Boxing Day. Landfills and recycling depots may have reduced winter hours so check online or contact the regional district below for more information.
Anyone interested in clarifying what can be recycled in local programs can look online at www.recyclinginbc.ca. Regional District Solid Waste Staff can be contacted at 250-490-4129 or info@rdos.bc.ca to help answer any questions. The Recycling Council of BC also has a hotline at 1-800-667-4321 on where items can be recycled.
Karla Kozakevich is chairperson for Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen.