Report from Cllr Lynn Daniel – West Devon Borough Council – Dec 2021
West Devon Borough Council December 2021
Councillors report
Reduce Waste this Christmas
West Devon Borough Council are keen to help support residents in the best environmentally friendly way to choose their gifts and wrapping paper. With climate change a global concern, highlighted by the recent COP26 conference; it is important that everyone do their bit to try to
reduce waste.
To reach net zero across the Borough by 2050, the Council’s climate change goal, small actions by lots of people now, will help the Borough reduce its emissions each year.
Our recycling rates are already really good, thanks to our residents’ ongoing efforts. This Christmas we know that everyone is busy, but we’re asking that we all do our bit for climate change by choosing our festive presents and food carefully to try and reduce packaging wherever possible.After choosing your gifts, perhaps look at how you choose to wrap your presents. Why not try wrapping with material or brown paper instead of glittery, glossy wrap, which can’t be recycled due to the fibres within it? This doesn’t have to look plain or boring as there are some truly beautiful wrapped gift examples online. Visit Recycle Devon and WRAP online who have great tips and advice.You could also think about supporting a charity as a gift idea. This is a great alternative to buying a present for someone who doesn’t need anything or is tricky to buy for. When shopping for Christmas food, if possible buy local instead of from supermarkets, or use refillable containers to reduce plastic waste. Anything to reduce our impact on the environment. If that isn’t possible, then recycle as much as possible by recycling the smaller items like the mince pie containers and cranberry sauce jars along with the larger items like the large scooter or bike cardboard boxes.Christmas always means there will be lots of extra cardboard packaging. However, the good news is this can be flattened and placed into recycling boxes, but please help us by making sure this is under 75 cm long so our vehicles can collect them.Let us all do our bit to save the planet for future generations.300,000 tonnes of card is used across the UK during the festive season in households alone. When laid side by side, that would cover the return distance between London and Lapland an astounding 100 times! The UK Waste sector is responsible for 25 mega tonnes of CO2, equivalent to powering 7 million homes per year.
The Borough Council has produced a handy guide to Christmas, so recycling information and Christmas dates are ready at hand when you need them.
West Devon – Recycle Christmas
You can also find a range of information online from Recycle Devon:
· ‘Tis the Season to be Jolly Aware of Recycling
· Give Christmas Cards a New Life
· Christmas Trees: Real v Fake
· Wrapping Paper Alternatives
· Visit Your Local Devon Market
A Happy Christmas and a Good New Year to all Residents from your borough councillor Lynn Daniel.