Christmas is just around the corner and most likely the Christmas packages on behalf of your organization have already been sent or will soon be on their way to your employees. After the packages are unpacked, various types of waste are left behind. Although this waste usually originates at the employee's home, as an organization you do have a say in what eventually happens to this waste.
This is an important aspect of a Zero Waste strategy: consciously thinking about each component of the Christmas package and how the materials are disposed of after use and consumption. In this blog, we discuss how you can support your employees in correctly collecting this waste.
What materials are released during Christmas package waste?
During the holiday season, the amount of packaging waste increases. From plastic to cardboard, paper, metal and glass: In the European Union, the average resident produced 188.7 kilograms of packaging material per year in 2021. The Netherlands and Belgium are slightly below the average here with 171 and 172 kg per person.
The Christmas package often consists of different materials. We list the most common waste streams:
Plastic
Plastic is a common material thanks to its low cost, light weight and versatility. Certain types of plastic are difficult to recycle. This is because, for example, they are composed of multiple layers or contain additives, such as dyes or coatings, that are difficult to separate during the recycling process. Moreover, plastic cannot be recycled indefinitely; it loses quality over time, leading to so-called downcycling (reuse for lower-quality products).
Materials such as PET and HDPE, often used in bottles and clear packaging, are relatively easy to recycle, provided they are collected cleanly and separately. However, more complex plastic packaging such as multilayer plastics (e.g., potato chip bags) or small plastic items such as rubber bands and candy wrappers often appear in Christmas packages. These are more difficult to recycle and often end up in residual waste.
Paper and cardboard
Popular for packaging and as an alternative to plastic. Paper and cardboard are relatively easy to recycle, provided they are not contaminated. Consider, for example, food particles, oil or other substances that can interfere with the recycling process and affect the quality of the recycled material.
Whether paper and cardboard are the best choice depends on their use. For food storage, plastic can help prevent food waste by keeping products fresher longer.
Glass
This is 100% recyclable material and can be recycled again and again without loss of quality. Glass containers are often used in Christmas packages for food products and can often be remelted again and again without losing the quality of the glass.
Although glass recycles well, it also has drawbacks. The weight of glass makes transportation throughout the chain, from production to recycling, less efficient. This leads to higher costs and energy consumption. Plastic is recycled more often worldwide because of the huge quantities in which it is used. However, the difference between glass and plastic is in the quality: glass retains its properties during recycling, while plastic often deteriorates in quality after reuse. As a result, glass can be recycled over and over again and may therefore be disposed of in the bottle bank.
Metal (such as aluminum and cans)
Metal is easily recyclable and largely retains its quality even after multiple recycling cycles. Although the recycling process takes energy, it is more energy efficient than producing new metal. In Christmas packages, we often see aluminum cans or metal lids. These metal materials may be handed in separately for optimal recycling.
How to separate?
Now that we know what waste streams are primarily released in Christmas hampers, it is important to collect them properly. The Zero Waste principle focuses on avoiding and preventing waste while preserving the value of raw materials.
While recycling in itself is not part of the Zero Waste principle, for materials already in circulation, such as this year's Christmas package waste, it remains a valuable step. It ensures that valuable raw materials are recovered as much as possible and not lost. It is a way to keep existing materials in the chain and ensure that raw materials do not end up as waste.
Below are guidelines for each material so you can easily share this information with your employees:
Plastic
Various types of plastic are often used in Christmas packages. Transparent packaging is best left clean and empty in the PMD bin, while more complex packaging, such as chip bags and foils, usually belong in the residual waste due to their composition.
Paper and cardboard
Paper and cardboard are also common materials in Christmas packaging. Clean cardboard boxes and paper bags can go directly to the waste paper. It is important that these packages are free of contamination, such as food residue or grease stains, as this can interfere with the recycling process. Highly soiled packaging may be disposed of with residual waste. When separating paper and cardboard, it is important to separate as many non-paper elements as possible, such as tape. This is then allowed in residual waste, as it usually consists of non-recyclable materials such as plastic or reinforced glue.
Glass
Glass is another commonly used material in Christmas packages, such as for wine bottles or jars of jam. Empty glass containers can go in the bottle bank. There is no need to clean them completely as long as they are empty. However, it is important to remove metal lids; these belong in the PMD waste. Some glass items, such as decorative glass containers with paint or coating, are not recyclable and should go in the residual waste.
Metal, such as aluminum and tinplate
This material often comes in the form of cans and metal lids. These containers, after rinsing briefly to remove any residue, can go in the PMD bin.
Decorations
Embellishments such as ribbons and glitter often cause confusion when separating waste. Here are some practical tips:
- Ribbons are often made of plastic and belong in residual waste. They are not recyclable through the paper bin because they are often made of plastic such as polyester, nylon or other synthetic materials. Another option is to save and reuse the ribbons for future gifts or creative projects.
- Glitter is often made of microplastics or metallic film and cannot be recycled. Therefore, gifts or packaging with glitter belong in the residual waste.
Zero Waste Christmas Gifts
If you want to follow the path to zero waste, there are plenty of ways to make Christmas packages more sustainable. For example, consider packaging materials that are fully compostable, through biodegradable foils or paper bags. Companies can also choose packaging-free gifts, where products are presented directly in reusable packaging, such as a glass jar or metal can. In this way, every Christmas gift contributes to less waste.
Christmas hampers at Milgro
At Milgro we also give a sustainable twist to the Christmas hampers for our employees. Here one has the choice of products, originating from sustainable entrepreneurs from the Rotterdam region, the place where Milgro's Dutch office is located. In this way, we ensure that the packages not only match personal preferences, but also contribute to a lower ecological footprint. No need for a package? Then the value of the package can be donated to charity.
Zero Waste starter package
Want to take another step? Involve your employees. The Christmas package may only be a small player, but it reflects a bigger picture. If your organization wants to move toward zero waste, it is important to consider everything within your organization, including the Christmas package.
Will you join us in achieving 0% waste together?
By reviewing all waste streams within your organization and exploring the best separation options, you take important steps toward Zero Waste. This way, we prevent materials from unnecessarily ending up in residual waste.
To support you, Milgro offers a starter kit full of tools. It includes a comprehensive step-by-step plan, a practical guide, a measurement template, and useful communication tools. Will you join us in striving for 0% waste?
