The 12 Days of Christmas - Tamworth Regional Council

s y a D 2 1 The s a m t s i r h of C

How to avoid, reduce, reuse and recycle over the festive season Wishing you a very Merry Christmas from Tamworth Re gional Council’s Sustaina bility Team

www.tamworth.nsw.gov.au

Day 1:

• There are still some people who send Christmas cards. These can be recycled in your yellow lid bin. • Save paper and postage and send a virtual Christmas card. There are hundreds of free e-cards online and many are available to customise. • Get the camera rolling and make your own video greeting to send to family and friends.


Day 2:

• Get crafty with your Christmas decorations and save some money by upcycling your decorations. • Swap decorations with your friends if you are tired of looking at the same old ones. • Broken lights beyond repair, tinsel or plastic papers (look like foil but are not) are not recyclable through the yellow lid bin and should go in the red bin if they are no longer usable.


Day 3:

Consider the 3 R’s •R educe plan what you are going to get for each person so you don’t buy things you don’t need. Ask yourself – Would the person you are buying the gift for really want this gift or will it end up shoved in a cupboard never to be seen again? •R euse wrapping paper if you were able to salvage from last year. Take reusable shopping bags with you when buying your gifts. • Recycle where possible consider purchasing a gift made from something recycled or with a recycled content.


Day 4:

• Reduce the paper all together by getting rid of i t. • Try something different this year such as a reusable favourite character or funky reusable bag with Christmas ribbon or a bow on it. • Use new towels or scarves to wrap presents in that form part of the present. • Last year’s Christmas cards can be reused to create gift tags.


Day 5:

If you buy a Christmas themed item of clothing, make sure it is something that you will either wear again or you can repurpose. Most novelty shirts are only worn once and end up at charity shops. Consider purchasing these items from charity shops.


Day 6:

If you are having a clean out, ask yourself these question s before giving to a charity shop: • clothing is it stained, ripped, missing buttons, have a broken zip or faded? Then it is not suitable for charity. • FuRnituRe & toys is it stained, missing pieces or broken in anyway? Then it is not suitable for charity. • Would i give this

to a good FRiend? if the answer is no, then it is not suitable for charity.

Don’t dump your rubbish on charity shops as it ends up costing them money to get rid of it.


Day 7:

• If you are lucky enough to get a new tv or other appliance, please don’t put the old one in the recycling bin with the cardboard box. This can cause serious damage at the recycling plant to the machines. Please look at drop off recycling options at the landfill. • Get a new fridge at home? You can take your old fridge to the landfill for FREE disposal (1 per visit). • E-waste – tvs, computers, printers can be dropped off for FREE at landfills. • Mobile phones and tablet devices can be recycled for FREE at the Community Recycling Centre or at the Council branch offices.


Day 8:

Every year, NSW households throw away more than 800,000 tonnes of edible food. That is on average $1,000 per household every year. This Christmas these actions can help avoid food waste: • Double check what you already have in the cupboard or freezer. . • Plan your meals and calculate the quantities to save time , money and avoid over catering. • Write a shopping list as it can save you time and mone.y. • Store food correctly to keep it fresher for longer , save time and avoid health issues. - General Food Storage tips www.lovefoodhatewaste.nsw.gov.au/at-home/store-food-correctly.aspx

- Festive food storage tips www.lovefoodhatewaste.nsw.gov.au/at-home/celebrations/festive-food-storage-tips.aspx

• Make the most of your leftovers as they can be delicious. If you are stuck for an idea there is a FREE Love Your Leftovers App www.loveyourleftovers.nsw.gov.au/

• If you do have food waste, try to compost or feed it to your worm farm.


Day 9:

• Giving a present that requires batteries? Why not make it part of the gift to include a set of rechargeable batteries and the charger. • All non-rechargeable household batteries can be recycled for FREE at the landfill or Council branch offices.


Day 10:

If your yellow lid bin is full because you have bee n awesome at recycling, then you can drop off the overflow of recycling at Challenge Recycling for FREE. But please don’t dump your rubbish on them as they are a not-for-profit organisation.


Day 11:

If you give your car a service before you plan to travel this festive season, then don’t forget that you can: • Take up to 5 old car tyres, 4WD tyres or motor bike tyres to the landfill for FREE each visit. • Give your car an oil change? You can dispose of the old oil for FREE at the landfill. • Change over your car battery? You can dispose of the old one at the landfill for FREE.


Day 12:

Reduce the amount of waste that you are generating by avoiding the use of disposable plates, cutlery and cups. If you do have to use these, then have a texta handy and write peoples names on them so they are not having to get a new cup or plate every time! Plus you will know who your litterers are if they don’t make it in the bin!
