The festive season often brings an increase in waste, from excessive packaging to food scraps. However, with a few simple steps, we can celebrate responsibly and minimise our impact on the planet.

Kate Stubbs, marketing director at Interwaste, emphasises the importance of individual actions. Every small step, every conscious choice, contributes to a larger impact, she says. 

Tips for a greener Christmas

• Choose local, seasonal produce to reduce transportation emissions and packaging waste.
• Choose products with minimal packaging or recyclable materials.
• Say no to disposable cutlery, plates, and cups.
• Bring reusable bags for shopping.
• Consider refillable water bottles and coffee cups.
• Plan your meals to avoid overbuying.
• Store food properly to extend its shelf life.
• Compost food scraps to nourish your garden.
• Donate excess food to local charities or food banks.
• Use reusable gift bags or wrap gifts in fabric.
• Opt for recyclable paper and avoid plastic or glitter. If wrapping paper bounces back after being scrunched up, it is not recyclable.
• Get creative with recycled materials like newspaper or old maps.
• Separate recyclable materials like paper, plastic, glass, and metal.
• Check labels for recycling symbols and polymer identification codes.

Recycling symbols and codes

The South African National Standard 1728 dictates that packaging and plastic labels must identify the type of plastics used and say if they are degradable.

The South African Plastics Recycling Organisation says plastic goods are assigned different identification numbers: #1 (PET) and #2 (PE-HD), #3 (PVC),  #4 (PE-LD), #5 (PP), #6 (PS), and #7 for mixed plastics such as polycarbonates that are not recyclable. 

Codes 1, 2 and 4 are suitable for all recycling facilities, codes 5 and 6 can be recycled at most facilities, but codes 3 and 7 currently cannot be recycled in South Africa.

This holiday season, learn more about how you can start recycling. Start by exploring Polyco’s Million Plus Plastic Recycling Revolution campaign and watching Petco’s docu-series, Unpack, which explores the questions behind collection and recycling in South Africa.