West Dunbartonshire Council Gets Into The “Zero Waste Christmas Spirit”

16th December 2009

West Dunbartonshire Council has put together some festive tips to ensure householders enjoy a “waste less winter wonderland” this Christmas. 

Everyone tends to produce more waste over the festive period, so it's even more important to reduce, reuse and recycle the waste produced at this time of year.

The great news is that getting into the Zero Waste Christmas spirit doesn't mean a 'bah humbug' festive period. But by taking some really simple steps householders can make a big difference to a greener future for Scotland.

West Dunbartonshire Council’s top tips for a Zero Waste Christmas:

• Recycle bottles and jars and all festive paper and cardboard through local points and centres, or via kerbside collections.  For details of the range of materials that can be recycled visit www.sort-it.org.uk;
• Recycle your Christmas cards with the Woodland Trust at branches of Marks & Spencer, TK Maxx and WH Smith throughout January;
• Remember to reuse bags when you go shopping;
• Use rechargeable batteries for Christmas gifts that use batteries. These are good for frequently used items, such as children's toys;
• Follow Love Food Hate Waste’s hints and tips to make the most of your food this Christmas and ensure you don’t waste a crumb www.wasteawarelovefood.org.uk;

For more festive hints and tips visit www.wasteawarescotland.org.uk

Councillor Jim McElhill, spokesperson for Environment and Economic Development said: “Christmas is a time of goodwill and celebration but it is also a time when we can show goodwill towards our environment.  Recycling as much as possible over the festive season will help to meet the targets set by the Scottish Government for reducing the amount of waste sent to landfill.”

Lending her backing to the festive Zero Waste drive, Dr Nicki Souter, Waste Aware Scotland’s Campaign Manager said: “Christmas is a time when we all tend to create more waste, so we can all look to make a little extra effort to reduce, reuse and recycle over the festive season.

“Whether it’s a trip to your local recycling centre or points, or making sure you use all that leftover Christmas turkey, it’s a great opportunity to join in with the Zero Waste Christmas Spirit in West Dunbartonshire.”