Insights

Trash doesn’t take a holiday: managing festive waste responsibly

Details: Published: Tuesday, 03 December 2024 14:11

As the festive season approaches, we’re gearing up for family gatherings, gift exchanges, and delicious meals. But the end-of-year cheer also brings an often-overlooked reality: the significant increase in general waste.

According to IOL, waste volumes in South Africa can surge by up to 30% during this season, placing additional strain on already challenged waste management systems and landfills. Given that the festive period also sees increased food consumption, the disposal of single-use decorations, and thousands of rolls of gift wrapping, our holiday habits set back an entire year’s worth of sustainable effort if left unchecked. It doesn’t have to be this way.

It's possible to celebrate without compromise, by adopting simple yet effective practices to keep waste low and South Africa’s circular economy turning.

Let’s explore how.

1. Rethink food waste this season

Food is central to our festive traditions. Family feasts and seasonal treats are eagerly anticipated, yet these celebrations often lead to significant food waste. In South Africa, nearly one-third of all food goes to waste, ending up in landfill where it can do the most damage for all kinds of reasons while exacerbating food security issues for millions of people. So, how do we strike a balance?

Plan and estimate: Thoughtful menu planning can go a long way. Take the time to consider how much food will be needed, avoiding excessive portions that often end up in the bin.
Get creative with leftovers: Leftover roast or vegetables? Try new recipes that repurpose these ingredients, turning them into fresh dishes.
Get composting: Composting food scraps is a straightforward way to keep biodegradable waste out of landfills. Transforming peels, eggshells, and other food waste into compost not only reduces the volume of waste; the compost can also be used to enrich our soil, promoting a circular economy. (Get your composter here)

2. Gift Wrapping: Sustainable Alternatives

Gift-giving is a cherished custom, yet gift-wrapping is a significant contributor to festive waste. Much of the paper we use, cannot be recycled due to foil, glitter, and laminated finishes, leading to a surge in non-recyclable waste.

So, how can we wrap sustainably?

Choose reusable or recyclable materials: Fabric wraps, reusable bags, brown paper, and even scarves (seriously) offer beautiful alternatives to traditional paper. Recyclable wrapping helps us, reusable wraps add an extra layer of thoughtfulness to your gift.
The“scrunch test”: When selecting paper, remember the “scrunch test”—if the paper stays scrunched up, it’s likely recyclable. Do note, however, that certain materials (such as glittered paper) will pass this test despite being non-recyclable.
Personal touches with nature: Incorporate natural elements like pinecones, sprigs of lavender (or any other aromatic herb), or twine, to achieve a unique and striking aesthetic. More importantly, these elements can often be composted afterwards, further reducing waste.

3. Consider Reusable and DIY Decorations

Decorating our homes is a joyous part of the season, yet single-use decorations are another source of festive waste. By investing in durable, high-quality decorations, we’re not only saving money in the long run but also reducing the waste generated by single-use items. Here are a few ways to decorate sustainably:

Reuse and Repurpose: Bring out the decorations you’ve cherished in previous years, transforming them with a touch of DIY if they need a refresh.
DIY Décor with Natural Elements: Incorporate items like pinecones, seed pods, or branches, all of which can be dressed up for a unique, rustic aesthetic. Again, these elements are compostable.
Think Minimal and Multipurpose: A minimalistic approach to decorating often adds elegance while reducing waste. Consider items that serve multiple purposes or that can be stored easily for future use.

4. Separate and Recycle Waste Effectively

During the festive season, it’s easy for recyclable materials to get mixed with general waste. With just a bit of extra attention, we can ensure that materials like paper, glass, metal, and certain plastics find their way into recycling bins. By separating our recyclables from non-recyclables, we’re supporting South Africa’s recycling industry and reducing the strain on landfills.

Set Up Separate Bins: Keep clearly labelled bins for recyclables, food waste, and general waste. This simple practice divides responsibility among every person in your household, making recycling easy, organised and efficient.
Teach the Family: The holiday season is an excellent opportunity to educate children and family members about waste separation and recycling.
Compost What You Can: Beyond food scraps, certain types of packaging can also be composted. Be sure to check the item’s composting viability to avoid contaminating the entire yield.

5. Engage with Your Community

The festive season is about togetherness. We can leverage this sense of community by involving our neighbours, friends, and family in sustainable practices:

Host a Community Clean-Up: Get neighbours together for a post-festive clean-up in your local park or community area. It’s a great way to build camaraderie and give back to the environment.
Swap and Share: Have a surplus of decorations, food, or even gifts? Set up a community exchange or swap station. By sharing with others, we avoid waste and make better use of what’s already available.
Support Local Initiatives: Donate to or volunteer with local organisations focused on waste management, recycling, or food distribution. Many communities in South Africa have initiatives that welcome extra hands or donations during this busy season.

Conclusion:

The festive season offers us a choice: to embrace a more sustainable, conscious approach to our celebrations, or to continue with waste-heavy traditions that strain our environment. We can enjoy all the season's joy without the environmental burden by incorporating simple additions to our holiday routine.

Trash doesn’t take a holiday, nor should our commitment to a greener, cleaner South Africa. Let’s wave goodbye to 2024 by renewing and perhaps redoubling our commitment to recycling and circularity.

Thank you for your support and trust this year. We wish you and yours a joyful and sustainable festive season filled with love, laughter, and lasting memories.

Here’s to a waste-free, circular South Africa.

See you in 2025.