Torridge urges residents to have a greener Christmas by reducing waste

Torridge District Council is asking residents to think ahead and make choices that reduce waste this Christmas.

The council says by planning early and shopping smart, everyone can do their bit and even save money.

Over the next few weeks, the council plans to share practical tips and advice for a greener holiday period.

With Black Friday just around the corner, many will be tempted by seasonal sales. But with increased spending comes increased waste.

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The council has highlighted data that shows in the UK alone, more than 114,000 tonnes of plastic packaging are thrown away at Christmas and the surge in online shopping adds millions of extra parcels and packaging.

Councillor Chris Leather, lead member for operational services, said: “The amount of waste that builds up over the festive season is staggering, but if we all do our bit, we can make a real difference.

“By buying only what we need and considering how products are packaged, produced, and bought, we can help reduce waste and even save money.

“Simple actions such as shopping locally and planning meals carefully all add up. If everyone makes a few small changes, we can all enjoy a greener, more sustainable Christmas.”

Torridge tips for a greener Christmas

Shop locally – support community businesses and help cut down on unnecessary packaging.

Choose sustainable wrapping – use recycled or recyclable cards, wrapping paper, and reusable gift bags. Avoid glitter, foil, bows and ribbons as these can’t be recycled and should therefore go in your black bag.

Plan your meals – around 4.5 million Christmas dinners are wasted every year in the UK. Careful planning helps prevent overbuying and ensures leftovers are enjoyed. For creative recipe ideas, check out Have Your Food And Eat It Recipe Book from Recycle Devon.

Recycle packaging – items such as plastic advent calendar trays, cream pots, brandy sauce pots, pudding basins, sweet tubs and mince pie trays can all be recycled.

Rehome unwanted gifts – if you don’t receive what you want this Christmas, consider donating any unwanted items to a charity shop or pass them on through local Facebook groups.

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