How our families are reducing our waste this Christmas

The Team from Kāpiti Coast District Council

In the week after Christmas, New Zealanders send 50,000 extra tonnes of waste to landfill. We've been looking at ways we can reduce the waste our families are sending to landfill.

Before you toss out your used Christmas gift wrap, check out these tips:
– metallic or shiny wrapping paper can't be recycled as it contains foil, metallic pieces or plastic coating; paper wrap can be put in your recycling bin
– if you're unsure what type of wrapping you have, give it the ‘tear test’ – if it doesn’t tear like paper put it in your rubbish bin or save it for next year
– remove tape, ribbons and other decorations
– paper needs to be larger than the palm of your hand for processing at the recycling plant
– leave paper as flat sheets – don't scrunch it up into balls
– keep paper wrap loose in your recycling bin, not in bags.