Green your holidays: Tips for reducing packaging waste

From wrapping paper and delivery packaging, to single-use plates, cups and utensils, over the holiday season, the typical household produces between 25 and 45 per cent more waste.

Founder of the The Eco-Hub website and environmental journalist, Candice Batista, joined The Sam Laprade Show on Dec. 9 to share her tips on greening your holiday festivities.

“It's the wrapping paper, the bows, the ribbons, all that kind of stuff. And food waste is another big issue as well this time of year,” Batista said. “We use a lot of stuff that I consider single use. You've heard that term before when you talk about plastic knives and forks, straws, cups, coffee cups, and that kind of stuff. But wrapping paper can also be considered single use. You wrap that present for a few hours and then it's done.”

Here are just a couple ways to reduce your waste courtesy of Batista.

Think outside the box, literally.

Ditch the wrapping paper cardboard boxes and go for a more reusable packaging for your gifting. Fabric, beeswax wraps, newspaper or brown paper are great alternatives.

“A great way to wrap the gift is using an actual beeswax wrap. The person can then use the wrapping in their home. So it's very, very practical and you don't need tape or any of the other stuff,” said Batista. “And then brown wrapping paper is wonderful because it can be composted.”

If you are gifting food, give it in a reusable silicon baggie or a nice bowl and a reusable cloth bag.

“Put a little piece of string on it, add a little bit of dried fruits, and voila, you've got something very pretty.”

Reuse and recycle wrapping paper and gift bags.

If you do have to use wrapping paper, make sure it is recyclable.

“A good test to do that is a scrunch test. If you take a little piece of wrapping paper and you scrunch it into a ball. If the ball keeps its shape then typically it can be recycled. But if it springs back to flat form, typically that can't be recycled,” said Batista.

Even if the wrapping paper is recyclable, it can still be reused for other gifts. Batista said instead of tossing it into the trash, she collects packages and paper to sort through at a later date and reuse, and will also save you money.

“The holidays are a really great time to start that tradition,” said Batista. “Instead of throwing everything to a black plastic bag and throwing that in the garbage, put that bag somewhere in your basement or your garage, and you can come back to it at the end of the holidays, go through it and see what you can salvage.”

For more of Batista's tips on a more eco-friendly holiday season, visit The Eco-Hub.

Listen to the full interview with Candice Batista on The Sam Laprade Show below.