Sort, separate and recycle this December
Don’t forget to recycle plastic, glass and tin, all of which are also widely recyclable in South Africa.
With early festive shopping sprees and online shopping deliveries, you might find yourself with more paper packaging than you know what to do with.
Not only vital for protecting our goods from the shop to the front door, cardboard boxes can also be reused, repurposed and recycled.
“For many, the December break is a time to declutter,” says Anele Sololo, general manager of RecyclePaperZA: the paper recycling association of South Africa
“It’s also a great time to assess our waste footprint and recycling habits.
“Do your bit and get sorting, separating and recycling this December.”
Here some tips for recycling:
• If you’re making lists and checking them twice, don’t forget to be nice and recycle them.
• You know those magazines you’ve kept for a rainy day … for about five years? It’s probably time to recycle them.
• Flatten online shopping boxes and put them out for recycling.
• Check your cupboards for shoe boxes you’ve stored. Flatten and put them into the recycling bin. You could also use them to sort your clutter – old photos, receipts or your children’s art.
• Label a few large boxes with Keep, Donate, Sell, Recycle or Dispose to guide you through the decluttering process.
• Avoid using gift wrapping paper with foil, cellophane, plastic coating or glitter. Brown craft paper decorated with string and some small pine cones can look just as pretty as fancy gift wrap.
• Reuse paper gift bags and boxes, or swap them out with your friends. Just remember to check the labels and tags before you regift.
• Christmas cards are less prevalent nowadays, with people preferring to wish loved ones merry Christmas on social media. While postage can be expensive, why not send a select few family and friends some handmade or charity greeting cards?
• Separate non-paper material from paper-based packaging before recycling.
