Care, Share, Reuse and Recycling

From attending Church services to eating, drinking and exchanging gifts — Irish people celebrate Christmas Day in some surprising ways. From Christmas swims to Santa fun runs, people around the country love raising money for worthwhile causes over Christmas. Getting out in the cold winter air or jumping into icy water is a perfect way to start the day which ends in front of a cosy fire.

Yet, at this time, it’s important to remember our environment and keep it safe and clean so everyone can enjoy the natural beauty of crisp festive winter days.  We want to encourage fun, sharing, celebration, rest and relaxation but with a message of reducing, reuse and recycling over this festive season.

We have assembled 28 festive tips which will help you to reduce the environmental impact of Christmas and save a little money at the same time!

Have a read of our 28 tips which will take you to Christmas Day

1. Cut up your old Christmas cards and use as present labels.
2. Bring reusable bags to help with the Christmas shopping.
3. Source non-disposable items such as rechargeable batteries
4. Buy brown wrapping paper, forget and don’t use plastic tape to seal!
5. Try using Christmas cards printed on recycled paper.
6. Reuse envelopes by sticking new labels over the address to send again.
7. Make your own cards with the kids
8. Send an electronic Christmas card to distance family instead of posting one.
9. Buy gifts with limited packagings like vouchers or tickets.
10. How about trying an artificial Christmas tree – they last for years.
11. When sourcing a real Christmas tree, make sure they can be shredded or composted after Christmas.
12. Choose a present of antique art, silver or jewellery, promote reuse
13. Buy second-hand items as presents e.g. bikes, electronic games, games table or a dolls house.
14. Source unwrapped fruit and vegetables to reduce plastic waste.
15. When preparing your seasonal vegetables, peelings can be composted (just scrape the plates)
16. Take unused or surplus food to food banks before, during and after Christmas. Click here for more information
17. Buy soft drinks in glass bottles rather than plastic & recycle the glass.
18. Recycle plastic and metal packaging including bottles and cans.
19. Stuff your shoes with old wrapping paper to help keep their shape or dry them out.
20. Don’t use paper plates, plastic cutlery or paper table clothes
21. Order your food online, save time and the environment
22. Buy a gift that will last.
23. Reuse last year’s Christmas Jumper & Santa Hat for the office party.
24. Bake a Christmas cake & make treats like jams, biscuits or chutney.
25. Separate old electrical items and batteries from general waste and recycle earlier in 2020.
26. Use video calls to connect with others rather than generating carbon miles.
27. Take a break from the car, use public transport to get around.
28. Reuse Christmas jumpers and hats from last year!

Recycling isn’t just for Christmas. 

If you receive a gift that just isn’t to your taste, try to re-gift it to someone you know will enjoy it.  Charities will also happily accept donations of unused items.  Many people will receive great Christmas presents which will replace old or damaged electronic gadgets. You can recycle the old items at either your local recycling centre or at the shop where your electrical present was purchased.

Finally, adopting a Kris Kringle-style approach with family and friends will allow you to focus time and money on arranging an outstanding present for just one other person, instead of having to buy lots of small gifts which can create lots of waste!

Finally, take a look at the; my waste Ireland website and repak.ie website for further hints, tips and information.

About Recycle IT

Recycle IT is an award-winning not for profit social enterprise providing a collection and drop off service for all types of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE). Over the last 12 months Recycle IT have provided drop off and collection services to hundreds of schools, residents associations, community groups, charities, and businesses in Dublin and surrounding areas collecting a range of electrical and metal equipment which includes thousands of computers, cables, monitors, microwaves televisions and more.

Recycle IT services are provided in partnership with WEEE Ireland. Recycle IT are supported by South Dublin County Council and authorized by the National Waste Collection Permit Office and the local authorities across Leinster. Recycle IT is part-funded by the Department of Rural and Community Development under the community service programme and Dormant Accounts Fund both managed by Pobal.

Visit our website for further details.

Merry Christmas from all the Recycle IT team.

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