06 December 2023 , 21:38
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Families are being urged to watch their waste at Christmas because it can surge by 30% in the festive season.
Households will bin food worth £444million with 230,000 tonnes ending up in landfill along with 125,000 tonnes of packaging, a report warns. We also spend £700million on unwanted gifts and the average family splurges £185 on decorations they later throw out.
About 39 million Christmas crackers and 75% of cards also end up binned – and by spring, 41% of gifted toys will end up broken and in landfill, according to Waste Managed, which did the research. The waste disposal and recycling firm is calling on households and businesses to be mindful of their consumption and disposal habits during the festive period.
Brits waste more at Christmas, according to a new report (Getty Images)Steve Traviss, sustainability expert at Waste Managed, said: “The increase in waste, particularly during Christmas, is a pressing issue that demands collective attention and action. By collectively adopting sustainable practices, we can make a significant positive impact on the environment.”