The festive season can be surprisingly heavy on waste, but you could make a difference this December by getting into the recycling spirit. According to a recent survey by the Paper Manufacturers Association of South Africa (PAMSA), around 39% of respondents said they always recycle their paper and cardboard products with 36% stating they do so occasionally.
“Some 20% of people responded that they do not recycle but would like to,” says Samantha Choles, communications manager for PAMSA. From wrapping paper to cardboard boxes and grocery bags, there are several products that get a second life. Not only will you reduce your waste footprint and keep paper products out of landfill, but you can also support waste collectors by ensuring that your recyclables are clean and separate. One tonne of recycled paper can save up to three cubic metres of landfill space. The 1.2 million tonnes of paper and paper packaging responsibly discarded and recycled in South African in 2023 saved 3.6 million cubic metres of landfill space. This would fill 1,390 Olympic-sized swimming pools, or cover 211 soccer fields. Choles notes that this statistic speaks volumes. “Despite the messaging that is in the public domain, many people simply do not know where or how to start.” With many people taking leave this time of year, the December holiday is a good time to clear out the cupboards and hidey-holes, files and those shoe boxes you have been storing. And with the New Year around the corner, it’s the perfect time to make a ‘recycling resolution’. PAMSA offers five festive tips to get started: 1. Get yourself a bin, box or bag for your paper recycling.
2. Ensure that you keep this in a place where it can stay clean and dry.
3. Get to know what is recyclable and what is not. Recyclable:
- Office paper (remove staples and metal fasteners)
- Cardboard boxes, from all the online gift shopping!
- Paper grocery bags
- Magazines that you’ve been saving for a rainy day
- Newspapers
- Paper packaging for cereal, toothpaste, medicine and cosmetics without plastic laminates or foil embellishments.
- Paper gift wrap, without the sticky tape – NB: do not mix this with foil type wrapping paper as this is NOT recyclable.
- Beverage cartons – both long-life milk and juice and refrigerated cartons
- Paper coffee and soft drink cups.
Not recyclable:
- Serviettes, paper towel, toilet paper and tissues
- Foil gift wrapping and foil lined boxes
- Laminated office paper
- Wax coated or laminated boxes such as frozen food boxes
- Cement and dog food bags
- Disposable nappies
- Carbon paper
- Sticky notes.
4. Do not mix your paper with other recyclables. 5. Decide what you will do with your paper recycling.
- Keep it aside for a waste collector – find out what they will take. While many of the above items are recyclable, they may not take everything.
- Drop it at a recycling centre (at shopping malls, for example).
DID YOU KNOW that 26 December – or Boxing Day – was traditionally reserved for clearing out unused or unwanted items? These items were given out to the less fortunate in boxes. 
