Festive tips on how to save money, reduce waste and recycle more this Christmas, which could help manage the cost of living, have been published in a handy online guide by Hampshire County Council.
Smart Living’s festive savings features a Green Gift Guide designed to help residents choose sustainable ways to prepare for the big day, saving money and keeping Hampshire’s festive carbon footprint in check.
Savings include helpful ways to reduce household food bills at what can be an expensive time of year, such as menu and portion planning for those hosting guests, and top tips to avoid wasting food, such as using up freezer stores in the run up to Christmas making space to freeze festive leftovers.
Executive Member for Waste at Hampshire County Council, Councillor Lulu Bowerman added: “There’s a host of top tips in the Smart Living guide which I’ll be putting into practice. We’re entering that time of year when lots of things are being bought, ordered and delivered, with wrapping and packaging that then needs to be disposed of, and it’s often a time when older items are being replaced with new. When items cannot be reused, repurposed or given to someone else, check online to see what you can recycle in your kerbside collection or take to one of our Household Waste Recycling Centres.”
Councillor Zoe Huggins, the County Council’s Cabinet Member with responsibility for Climate Change said: “Christmas and New Year can be a welcome time of indulgence but it’s also when household waste levels in the UK increase by around 30%, so it’s really important for everyone to think about what they can do personally to help reduce waste and their carbon footprint at this time of year – and in doing so, save money too.
“During the festive season, many people get together with friends and family, preparing, sharing and enjoying good food, but we live in a time when globally more than 30% of food goes to waste which alone accounts for 8-10% of global greenhouse gas emissions. We have to do more. Climate Change doesn’t take a break at Christmas, so neither can we when it comes to doing our bit to help Hampshire reach net zero.”
Making food go further
When planning a food shop, use a portion planner and write a shopping list to buy exact quantities of what is needed.
Ask guests to bring a reusable container with them, so they can take leftovers home to enjoy later.
At mealtimes, let people help themselves from serving bowls – they are more likely to only take what they want, and any leftovers will be easier to use for another meal.
Ask local food banks, community pantries, or homeless shelters if they could make use of suitable excess food items.
Sustainable fashion for the party season
Re-wear last year’s Christmas jumper or create your own home-made version by adding a few Christmassy accessories to an old pullover.
Choose second-hand party outfits from charity shops or online reuse platforms.
Rent an outfit and step out in style for a fraction of the price of buying new – avoiding ‘fast fashion’.
Preparing to recycle festive waste
Items such as metal biscuit and sweet tins, flattened cardboard delivery and toy boxes, plain cards and envelopes can all be added to kerbside recycling collections, after removing any tape, cellophane, and wire or plastic fasteners.
When it comes to gift wrapping, only brown paper can be recycled (with any sticky tape removed) – most gift wrapping will contain plastics, glitter or foil and so cannot be recycled.
Items such as broken Christmas tree lights and electrical or battery operated decorations that cannot be repaired, can be recycled locally through special electrical waste drop off points, or at Hampshire Household Waste Recycling Centres during the next booked visit – open year-round, except Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day.
In the UK, on average, people throw away seven batteries over the festive season – used batteries and electricals, must never be included in kerbside waste as this causes a fire risk.
All empty glass bottles and jars can be taken to a local bottle bank or added to the kerbside glass collection service where this is available.
Used batteries must never be put in a waste bin or kerbside recycling – you can take used and worn batteries to special battery to a drop off points at a local shops or supermarkets or drop off at a Household Recycling Centre when next visiting.
