City of Edmonton offers tips on waste reduction this holiday season

The City of Edmonton says Christmas lights can cause problems when people try to recycle them. Usable ones should be donated instead, and broken ones should be taken to an Eco Station for proper disposal. (Darcy Seaton/CTV News Edmonton)

The City of Edmonton is reminding residents to properly sort and reduce waste during the holiday season.

According to the city, Edmonton households produce nearly twice as much waste during the holidays compared to the rest of the year. The city said there are many avenues to explore when reducing waste.

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Opting for buying experiences, such as gift cards for a night out or a new subscription, can eliminate what’s going in the trash, along with supporting local vendors as they use less packaging and do not require any transport.

The city also mentions how planning holiday meals, using diningware instead of disposable cutlery and only opening what you need can help avoid food waste.

Properly sorting waste can also keep unnecessary items out of landfills. The city recommends downloading the WasteWise app to help ensure proper waste disposal.

A Waste-Less Holiday Market is being held on Dec. 13 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Reuse Centre, where vendors will offer locally-made gifts that use less packaging.

For more information, visit the City of Edmonton’s website.