West Hartford’s recycling coordinator offers some tips for reducing waste during the holiday season.

By Katherine Bruns

Happy Holidays! While the holiday season is a joyous and meaningful time where we often gather with special people to cook and gift, it is also a time when we generate a lot of waste. In fact, the EPA estimates that we generate 25% more waste between Thanksgiving and New Years than we do the rest of the year!

It does not have to be this way. Here are some tips and suggestions to manage food waste, recycle right, and reduce waste.

Reduce Food Waste:

• Use this handy food estimate calculator to shop wisely, saving money and reducing waste
• Shop your pantry and fridge before you shop at the grocery store (see what you already have)
• Make plans for leftovers and …
• Freeze, freeze, freeze. Almost all food can be safely frozen to be enjoyed at a later date
• If possible, compost your food scraps and food waste. 23% of trash is food waste!

The average family of four throws away about $1600 worth of food a year!

Courtesy of Katherine Bruns

Recycle Right:

• Break down boxes! We are busy and we are ordering more online. This means we have way more boxes. Too often whole boxes are tossed in recycling, with the Styrofoam and plastic bags still inside. These items are trash. Breaking down boxes creates a lot more room in your recycling barrel. Excess cardboard can be dropped off at the recycling center on 25 Brixton Street
• Most wrapping paper and all ribbons are not allowed in recycling. It is trash. Find creative, reusable ways to wrap like pretty dish clothes, old maps and posters or brown paper that you can decorate …
• No holiday lights in curbside recycling. String lights can be dropped off in the E Waste recycling container at the recycling center, 25 Brixton Street
• Most carryout food containers are not recyclable. What can you cook yourself?
• Do not put plastic bags or plastic film (stretchy plastic) in recycling

Gift wrapped in a tea towel. Photo credit: Katherine Bruns (we-ha.com file photo)

Holiday Waste:

• Keep it simple and give gifts of experiences like museum memberships, magazine subscriptions, concert tickets, pampering massage treatments, etc. Or give promises to babysit, cook, or help with chores
• Beware of and reduce packaging and excess wrap when purchasing items
• Remember to bring your own shopping bag anywhere you shop, not just the grocery store
• Use your dishes, or nice china if you have it! Single use plates and cutlery are all trash, never recyclable. They are used once and then tossed, creating overflowing trashcans

Please don’t be overwhelmed by the suggestions! Just pick one or two new things to try this holiday season and take small steps to creating less waste. The town, trash haulers, and the planet thank you.

Happy Holidays!

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