Christmas is a busy time of year, and our household waste typically increases. By following ideas for Circular Living and sustainable practices that reduce waste we can help to save money, protect the environment and contribute to a healthier future for us all. Why not consider sustainable gifting, mindful meal planning and taking time to dispose of our waste correctly.

Look for Local

You can have a greener Kerry Christmas by focusing on locally made, second-hand, and experience-based gifts, as well as opting for sustainable food and decorating choices. When you ‘Look for Local’ the money you spend will benefit several different businesses in that area and every Euro that you give to a local business is an investment in that community.

Visit https://www.localenterprise.ie/lookforlocal/Look-for-Local.html to find a list of businesses in Kerry.

Decorate Sustainably

You can decorate for a sustainable Christmas by reusing what you have, opting for natural materials, making your own crafts, and shopping thoughtfully from artisans. You could:

Energy-efficient lights: Use LED lights for your tree and outdoor decorations. They consume less energy and last much longer than traditional bulbs. Solar-powered lights are another energy-saving option.

Look for recycled wrapping paper:  It is a simple yet effective step toward sustainable living, as it conserves natural resources, reduces waste, and helps combat climate change.

Second-hand and handmade decor: Look for unique vintage finds at thrift stores or charity shops, or shop from local artisans for handmade items made from sustainable materials.

Stop Food Waste

Plan your menu in advance when entertaining this festive season – a simple way to avoid buying or preparing too much food.

The average Irish household could save an estimated €700 a year by avoiding food waste and in some cases, it could be even more! Adopting just one Stop Food Waste habit could help you save money, time and the planet.

Also, for more tips on perfect portions, food management tips and #EntertainingWithoutFoodwaste visit www.StopFoodWaste.ie.

Recycle

This season let’s make proper waste segregation and recycling part of our celebration.

Recycling turns what would be waste material into new useful products or back into the same thing again – glass bottles and jars are a great example as they are infinitely recyclable.

Set up separate bins for different types of household waste, including recycling, composting and general waste.

• Recycling bin – remember clean, dry, loose
• Food Waste – keep the bin intruders away e.g. aluminium foil, metals
• General Waste – items that cannot be recycled go into general waste

Segregating our waste correctly reduces energy consumption, emissions, the use of finite raw materials and helps control air, water and land pollution that may occur the more the ‘general’ or ‘residual’ waste bin is used.

For more information on reducing, reusing and recycling visit: MyWaste

Civic Amenity Sites

Don’t forget that our Civic Amenity Sites are available to help you to dispose of your waste. Check the Kerry County Council website for the Christmas Schedule of Civic Amenity Sites.

Before you go

• Check what’s accepted: Confirm which materials your local site accepts. Some sites take a wider variety of items than others.
• Separate your waste: Keep different types of waste separate before you arrive to make your trip more efficient.

All sites accept payment by credit/debit card and cash.

For more information on reducing, reusing and recycling visit: MyWaste