November 2023 news
View our news items from November 2023.
Our top tips for waste reduction this Christmas period
As part of the countdown to Christmas, we’re sharing our favourite ways to reduce waste over the festive period, including:
- how to think mindfully about what presents we buy
- sustainable gift ideas
- how to reduce waste when wrapping presents
- how to throw a Christmas party that is low waste, but high fun!
Some of our favourite tips are:
- Start with a list: Before you start Christmas shopping it is important to prepare. Speak to your loved ones about what they would like or need for Christmas and make a list before you even step foot in the shops. This can help to stop panic buying more than intended!
- Shop second-hand: Why not go thrift or charity shopping instead to buy a previously loved item for your loved ones? It's cheaper, better for the planet and means money could go to a good cause!
- Make your own presents: A great way to reduce waste over the Christmas period is to make your gifts if you have the time and skills. You could try baking sweet treats to give as presents or make stockings from leftover materials.
- Wrap low waste: Wrap presents in scarves or cloth (these can then be reused!), make gift boxes out of old cards and give gifts in reusable bags.
- If you have old Christmas cards from last year, you could use these as gift tags for your Christmas presents. Just cut out the picture, write on the back and stick it down.
- When planning a party, ditch the disposables: Avoid disposal cups, plates and cutlery in favour of reusable alternatives when you can.
- Reduce your food waste: Get creative with leftovers and think before you buy particular foods for the festive season.
- Recycle all you can! Make sure you are recycling all the items that can be recycled this Christmas, either at home or via other means such as participating supermarkets.
- Plan your Christmas clear out: Make use of Recycling Centres and other collections available to you at the kerbside to make sure you are disposing of everything safely and correctly.
Find more information on how to reduce your waste this Christmas.
How is recycling processed in West Sussex?
Are you interested in what happens to your recycling once it's been collected? In our recent survey 52% of residents wanted to know what happens to their materials and we're here to help!
We've produced a series of short videos explaining what happens to each of the different materials collected from household recycling bins across West Sussex. Check them out on our website and learn how to #ThinkBeforeYouThrow
Poppies
In April 2023 the Royal British Legion announced the plans for their new plastic-free poppy. The new poppies are made from 100% paper and are available now as part of their Poppy Appeal.
We are pleased to inform residents that these poppies are recyclable in recycling bins at home.
The Poppy Appeal will continue to sell the old plastic poppies to use up the remaining stock and to reduce waste. Old-style plastic poppies cannot be recycled at home and will need to be returned to Sainsbury’s stores for recycling.
More information can be found on the Royal British Legion website.
Soft plastics
Did you know that you can recycle soft plastics such as carrier bags, crisp packets, sweet wrappers and bread bags in select local supermarkets?
You can find your nearest drop-off point online using the Recycle Now locator.
Upcoming waste prevention events
November and December events
- Saturday 4 November - Linfield repair café - United Reform Church, Lindfield - 10.00am to 1.00pm.
- Wednesday 8 November - Waste Prevention stand at Southwick Food Hub - Southwick Community Centre, Southwick - 10.00am to 11.00am.
- Thursday 9 November - Waste Prevention stand at Petworth Food Hub - Sylvia Beaufoy Centre, Petworth - 10.00am to 11.00am.
- Wednesday 15 November - UKHarvest Community Food Hub cooking demonstration and information stand - Broadfield community centre, Crawley - 10.00am to 12 noon.
- Saturday 18 November - Hurstpierpoint village Fayre - Hurstpierpoint village centre - 10.00am to 2.00pm.
- Wednesday 22 November - Waste Prevention information stand at Storrington Food Hub - Chanctonbury Leisure Centre, Storrington - 3.00pm to 4.00pm.
- Thursday 23 November - UKHarvest Community Food Hub cooking demonstration and information stand - Sidney Walter Centre, Worthing - 10.00am to 11.00am.
- Saturday 2 December - Lindfield repair café - United Reform Church, Lindfield - 10.00am to 1.00pm.
- Friday 15 December - Waste Prevention stand at Eco Christmas - East Street, Chichester - 9.00am to 2.00pm.
- Saturday 16 December - Waste Prevention stand at Family Fun Day Crawley - The Apple Tree Centre, Ifield Avenue, Crawley - 10.00am to 11.00am.
We also attend a number of Community Food Hubs and education sessions in collaboration with UKHarvest. Each district and borough has one hub per month. For more information on the Community Food Hubs, their locations and dates and times please visit our website.
Team update
Over the next few months (11 November 2023 to 16 February 2024), one of our waste prevention volunteers is exhibiting her designs at the Littlehampton Museum as part of their exhibition on plastics. The piece (pictured) is called Flora Bunda, and is made from totally reused/recycled plastic!
Throughout West Sussex, we're proud to be working alongside a team of passionate recycling and waste volunteers and advisers. They attend public and private events to promote waste prevention and are keen to answer questions on the county's recycling provision and waste prevention.
For more information on any of the listed events below, or if you would like our team to attend an event, please email: waste.prevention@westsussex.gov.uk.