Try wrapping a gift in a reused box that is beautiful on its own with recyclable cloth ribbon (left), wrap a gift in a scarf that can be worn once the gift is opened (centre), or reuse the MMNN paper to wrap your gift with a homemade coloured paper bow on top (Right).

The holiday season is a season of abundance. It overflows with friends, family, food, and unfortunately, waste. Single use plastic products and packaging, non-recyclable wrapping paper, gift bags, and disposal of excess food all contribute to this waste. Here at Mi’kmawey Green Communities, we want to help you reduce holiday waste while still enjoying all the season has to offer. Did you know that most wrapping paper cannot be recycled? Avoid shiny, laminated or metallic paper, and choose recycled and unlaminated paper. A good way to test whether your wrapping paper can be recycled is to crush a piece into a ball; if it stays crushed up, recycle it, but if it starts to unfold it is likely garbage.

Five (5) tips to reduce waste this holiday season:

  1. Wrap gifts in recycled newspaper, brown packing paper, recyclable wrapping paper, or a fabric bag or scarf. Smaller gifts can be placed inside tree ornaments that open!
  2. Avoid using single use plastic tinsel or other disposable decorations.
  3. Use compostable paper plates or reusable plates and cutlery when having guests for dinner.
  4. Freeze any leftovers to eat later instead of throwing extra food out.
  5. Send Christmas cards electronically instead of paper cards! Many stores also have “e-gift cards” online instead of the traditional plastic ones, too!

Check out the examples in our photo for inspiration. Send your photos of gifts wrapped with recycled/reusable materials or your house decorated with recycled materials to acopage@cmmns-denr.ca for a chance to be featured in an upcoming issue of MMNN!

Remember to check out Mi’kmawey Green Communities’ sorting guides to recycle what you can this holiday season. Download our FREE “MGCP Waste Sorting App” from Google Play or the App Store! Give the planet a gift this season and reduce, reuse, recycle, and rejoice!