Merseysiders anxious to reduce the amount of waste they produce this Christmas are being targeted in a ‘choose to reuse’ campaign.
This is the first year of the campaign, run by Merseyside Recyling and Waste Authority (MRWA), and the authority hopes that it will inspire people to be creative in how they can create less rubbish.
Adam DeSpretter-Yates of MRWA said: “Besides encouraging people to choose to reuse, the campaign is also an opportunity for us to advise on other good sustainable practices.
“For instance, how often you must reuse an artificial Christmas tree for its impact to be lower than a natural tree? Or which Christmas cards and gift wraps we should avoid due to their non-recyclable nature (as many of us assume all cards an wrapping paper can be recycled)?
“The main vehicle for the campaign is a blog series which focuses on different topics including Christmas trees, decorations, cards, gift wrap and gifts. Anyone who is interested in finding out more can do so via our website.”
MRWA said that waste at Christmas time has become a big problem, and it is important that we all think of ways to reduce waste.
“Waste is a huge problem at Christmas time. National data states that the UK wastes 30% more at Christmas than at any other time of year,” Adam added.
“To add some context, over a billion Christmas cards are throw away in the UK per year, whilst the amount of wrapping paper thrown away per year in the UK alone could reach all the way to the moon!
“Furthermore, an estimated 21m people receive at least one unwanted gift a year – 5% of which are needlessly thrown away, instead of being re-gifted, donated, or even upcycled. “
One of the ways that the authority tries to help people is by educating them on how they can be more prudent with their finances in a way that still helps the environment. This is most pertinent in the economic environment that we live in, as many people struggle with the cost of living crisis.
“Christmas trees are a good example,” Adam explained. “Research shows that potted natural trees our a more environmentally-friendly option in most cases.
“But if you reuse your artificial tree 10 times or more, you are not only having a lower environmental impact, but you are also saving the money you would spend on a natural Christmas tree per year.”
There used to be a stigmatism around “buying second-hand”, but the emergence of platforms such as Vinted and local influencers such as Jen Graham (aka “Charity Shop Girl”) is helping to break that stigma and proving that people can buy real quality if they search well enough. What’s even more rewarding is the fact that they are actively rescuing usable goods from needlessly going to landfill.
The message is simple – by reducing waste and reusing where we can, society can actively fight climate change.
The effects of global warming can be reduced by engraining waste-reducing practices into our day-to-day lives, and so we can make huge strides towards protecting our planet.
Adam said: “This is why we have introduced the #ChooseToReuse campaign – to illustrate how being more sustainably conscious at Christmas time can have a positive impact on the planet, in a way which doesn’t have to compromise the joy of the festivities.”
Featured image (c) Merseyside Recycling and Waste Authority
