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Alliance Disposal Becomes Sourgum Waste
Published Jan 31, 2023
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With the holidays approaching, our homes start to fill up with wrapping paper, boxes, plastic inserts, and all the other extra items that come with gift-giving season. This can create excess waste in a short amount of time, most of which ends up in the trash as we quickly move from one task to the next. On top of that, most wrapping paper and gift bags bought in stores aren’t recyclable because they often contain plastic or glitter.
Most wrapping paper bought in stores aren’t recyclable because they contain plastic or glitter.
The good news is making more sustainable choices for the holidays doesn’t take much effort. If you make small changes to how you wrap, decorate, shop, and cook, you can reduce your impact in a big way.
Here are seven holiday recycling tips that will make the season better by using what’s already around you instead of adding more to the pile.
1. Reuse Paper Products
Brown paper bags and the plain paper that comes as packaging are some of the easiest things to reuse instead of buying new wrapping. Turn the paper inside out so the blank side faces out, then cut it to size and use it just like store-bought paper. If you want the packaging to look more intentional, crumple or twist the paper first so it has a textured look, then tie it with twine or jute instead of plastic ribbon.
These choices keep extra paper and plastic out of the trash, and once gifts are opened, most of it can be reused again.
2. Wrap Gifts in Reusable Cloth
While we’re on the topic of wrapping, you can pick up thrifted tablecloths, dishcloths, and other fabric remnants, trim them into squares or rectangles, and use them in place of wrapping paper. Just lay the gift in the middle, fold the fabric over it, and tie the corners together in a knot to secure it. Scarves, bandanas, and old pillowcases also work well for oddly shaped items.
The nice thing about fabric is that it doesn’t rip the way paper does, so it can be folded and stored to use again next year, or the person receiving the gift can keep and reuse it. Over time, a small stash of reusable cloth wraps can replace rolls of nonrecyclable wrapping paper, tape, and plastic ribbon.
3. DIY Hanukkah Decorations
A menorah can easily double as a small Hanukkah recycling project instead of another store-bought item. A leftover piece of wood makes a solid base, and nine small jars, glass bottles, or cleaned nail polish containers can stand in for traditional candle holders. These can be glued in a row, with one raised slightly on a small block.
To add meaning, each container can be filled with small items that are unique to your family so that every candle holder tells a small story. The result is a durable, personal Hanukkiah made mostly from reused materials, ready to come out again year after year.
4. Decorate with Compostable Materials
Dried orange slices are an easy, low-waste swap for plastic ornaments and tinsel, and they look and smell great. Just slice oranges, lemons, or other citrus fruits into thin, even rounds, pat them dry with a towel, and bake them on low heat (175°–210°F) for a few hours until they’re fully dried, flipping them occasionally so they don’t burn.
Once cooled, poke a small hole near the top, thread through some twine, and you’ve got simple, compostable ornaments for your tree. They also work well strung together as a garland, added to wreaths, or tied onto gifts instead of plastic bows.
5. Reduce Holiday Food Waste
Because food is a major part of winter holiday celebrations, including Christmas, Hanukkah, and Ramadan, recycling and reducing food waste becomes especially important during this time, and it can even set the tone for a more sustainable year ahead.
Typically, more food is cooked during this time than anyone can finish, and a lot of it ends up in the bin at the end of the night. The following preventive measures can help you reduce food waste significantly:
Plan simpler menus
Avoid bulk deals that push you to buy more than you need
Cut down on meat dishes while leaning more on grains, vegetables, and fruit
Put leftovers and extra portions straight into the fridge or freezer in labeled containers
Read more about managing food waste at home for step-by-step ideas for planning, storing, and reusing food so less of it ends up as trash.
6. Choose Sustainable Alternatives to Christmas Cards
Many people enjoy sending holiday and Christmas cards, and they can be a wonderful way to show your loved ones you care about them. Traditional cards, however, often use new paper and coatings that increase waste once the season is over. If you want to make this tradition more sustainable, you can use cards made from 100% recycled paper or switch to e-cards when you’re sending a large number.
7. Cut Down on Plastic Bags
Plastic bags quietly end up being one of the largest sources of holiday-related waste. Most plastic bags can’t go in regular curbside recycling, which makes them a major problem for recycling efforts.
A simple way to avoid the buildup is to keep a few reusable totes in your car or near your door. If you do end up with plastic bags, fold and store them in one dedicated spot so you can reuse them for lining small bins, packing lunches, or storing holiday decorations.
Most plastic bags cannot go in regular curbside recycling.
Some grocery stores have drop-off bins specifically for film plastic, which is the thin, flexible plastic material used for grocery bags, produce bags, and some product packaging. These materials can’t go in curbside recycling because they can jam sorting equipment, but they can be recycled separately if kept clean. If you have access to a store with a drop-off bin, set aside a small bag at home where you collect film plastics until your next trip.
Simple, Sustainable Holiday Cleanup
Whether you’re clearing out a garage full of old holiday decorations, cleaning up after a large family gathering, or handling extra waste at your business, Sourgum can help. We provide dumpster rentals in a variety of sizes so you can pick the option that best fits your needs.
Our team partners with local recycling centers and haulers to make sure as much material as possible gets reused or recycled instead of ending up at the landfill, and the entire rental process is transparent from start to finish.
If you’re looking for a stress-free way to handle your holiday waste, order online or call us at 732-366-9355 and we’ll get you set up.