Holidays and festivals come with a lot of joy and well-wishes. These special oceans also generate a large amount of waste that is mostly based on paper. During such events, wrapping paper or greeting cards are often used for gifts.
Paper is a commonly used material for decorations and wrapping gifts. It is considered a recyclable source that justifies its increasing consumption rate. But there is a simple factor that people often do not understand clearly. The use of some specific material on the surface of paper makes it difficult to reuse.
We have tried to answer some of the most common questions, like whether wrapping paper is recyclable or if this paper can be recycled. This blog contains all the common questions related to paper recycling and the alternatives that can reduce waste. We also mention the correct way of recycling them and some other materials, rather than just wrapping paper or cards, which also cause an increase in paper waste.
Why Holiday Paper Waste Is A Big Deal
The environmental impact of holiday paper waste has moved from a niche concern to a critical global challenge. The period between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day remains the most intense time of year for waste management systems worldwide. During this time, approximately, the production of waste reaches up to 25% more than the average monthly production. The problem is especially critical in Canada due to the specialized nature of festive materials. Research shows that a majority of holiday paper is not recyclable.
The additional items that accompany paper waste are purchased annually in Canada and often end up in landfills because they are made of mixed materials that cannot be easily separated. By recognizing that holiday paper waste is a national challenge. In this blog, we will discuss some major problems that cause the increasing rate of paper waste during the holiday season. Canadians are increasingly being encouraged to adopt reusable traditions. All this is to ensure that the most wonderful time of the year is not also the most damaging.
Is Wrapping Paper Recyclable?
This is one of the most common questions that people often ask during the purchase of their wrapping. The simple answer to this question is that wrapping paper can be recycled under certain circumstances. Simple wrapping paper can be recycled very easily without any disturbance. But papers that have decorative elements are very difficult to recycle. Sometimes they get rejected because of this.
How Can You Recycle Wrapping Paper
Wrapping paper is recycled in a multi-step process. It begins with a certain test that determines whether it is eligible for recycling or not. After the confirmation step comes the most time-consuming process. This paper is cleaned of any type of lamination or additions that have been added to it. People are often advised to make sure that their paper is flattened instead of crumpled. This helps to get paper waste accepted easily as a recycled product. These simple steps will help you reduce your waste.
Are Christmas or Holiday Cards recyclable
These are one of the most commonly used items during the month of December. The thing that is mostly used to check whether these cards can be recycled or not is their material. Traditionally made letters are often fully recyclable because of their simple appearance. Modern cards and Christmas wrapping paper are very difficult to recycle because they can have glitter or plastic laminates on them. These decorative elements cannot be separated from the paper fibres during the pulping process. Cards with built-in electronic components that play music or light up are considered waste.
How Can You Recycle Christmas Cards?
People are using many different methods to reduce the rate of paper waste that is created by the wrapping gift and decoration process. The best way to reduce it is to use a recycled one or a card with a plain appearance. There is no need to worry if you have not bought a modern one. You can make these cards recyclable by using some simple methods.
- The Tear Test: To make your card recyclable, rip it into two parts and use the plain side for the bin.
- Remove Extras: Peel off any plastic stickers or foam tape because these synthetic materials cannot be recycled.
- Electronics: You must pull out the small batteries and circuitry from the music card.
- Photo Paper: Some cards are usually coated in plastic film, that is called photo paper. The application of plastic film makes the paper difficult to recycle.
- Envelopes: You must remove any type of lamination from them before recycling.
- Upcycle: Consider cutting the artistic fronts off the cards to use as DIY gift tags for next year.
Other Holiday Paper Waste That Can Also Be Recycled
Holiday waste includes much more than just the boxes under the tree. The paper waste that builds up after the holiday is full of materials that can easily be recycled. Because Canadian facilities are using more automated sorting technology. You can help ensure they are turned into new product wrapping by taking a few extra seconds to clean these common household items.
- Shipping Boxes: Remember to flatten every cardboard box and peel off the heavy plastic tape. It makes the job much easier for municipal sorters.
- Gift Bags: Most paper bags are perfectly recyclable. Just rip off the handles if they are made of ribbon or plastic.
- Protective Packaging: The brown paper and the moulded pulp inserts are highly recyclable.
- Tissue Paper: Your tissue paper can be recycled easily if it doesn’t have glitter.
- Wine Carriers & Egg Cartons: They can be recycled as long as these cardboard carriers are clean.
- Holiday Crackers: Put the cardboard tube and paper wrap separately for recycling.
- Catalogues and Flyers: The thick stack of sale flyers that arrives in December is all recyclable paper. The main thing is that you have to take them out of the plastic bag they usually come in first.
For More Information, Visit Us Today
If you find this information interesting and want to find more detailed information, visit our website today. Here you will get brief details on different topics of recycling. We are also delivering an expert overview on many different issues of packaging.