As the holiday season approaches, the City of Kingston is reminding residents to be mindful of their waste and do their part in reducing their environmental impact.
According to Adam Mueller, Supervisor of Solid Waste Disposal, “Each non-recyclable item we send to landfill contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, which in turn contribute to climate change. Give gifts and experiences instead of waste and packaging.”
To help reach the City’s goal of diverting 65% of Kingston’s household waste, the City has provided a list of suggestions for waste-saving gift-giving:
- Opt for reusable or recyclable gift wrapping options such as festive fabrics, brown paper, newspaper, gift boxes, or bags. Avoid traditional wrapping paper, as it cannot be recycled due to the large amount of coloured ink. Share your unique wrapping ideas with the hashtag #WasteNotYGK.
- Consider purchasing secondhand items and adding your own personal touch to them, or get creative with your own handmade gifts.
- Choose holiday decorations that can be repurposed or composted after the holiday season.
- Plan to make use of leftovers and avoid bringing home food that will go to waste when hosting holiday gatherings.
- Remember to compost your real Christmas trees at the Kingston Area Recycling Centre or Tomlinson Organics, making sure to remove all decorations first. Artificial trees can be donated to secondhand stores, charities, or sold on online sales websites.
The City of Kingston also encourages residents to share their own waste-saving holiday ideas on social media using the hashtag #WasteNotYGK.
Connect with the City on Twitter (@CityofKingston) and Facebook (TheCityofKingston)
