Group reminds public to cut down on ‘holitrash’ this holiday season

MANILA, Philippines — Non-profit organization EcoWaste Coalition on Monday reminded the public to reduce the volume of holiday trash, or “holitrash,” this coming Christmas and New Year.

The group said that the holiday celebrations do not have to make the garbage situation worse.

“We urge everyone to be mindful of what we consume and dispose of during this most joyful time of the year to reduce the negative impact of the festivities on public health and the environment,” Jove Benosa, Zero Waste Campaigner, EcoWaste Coalition, said in a statement.

“By consuming sustainably and by willfully segregating, reusing, recycling or composting discarded materials, we can be part of the solution, not the problem,” he added.

Among the means that Benosa proposes is opting not to use gift wrappers, avoid using disposable paper and plastic carry bags, make use of reusable bags and containers, avoid over-packaged products, and avoid single-use party supplies such as plastic plates and cutlery.

Further, Benson said that should gift wrappers and accessories be used, they can still be reused and repurposed through the following:

• Christmas wrapping papers can be reused to cover books and notebooks, re-wrap small gifts, line drawers and trays, create origami pieces, or make paper buntings.

• Christmas ribbons can be saved for future birthdays or Christmases or reused as hair bows or garlands for decorations and fun activities.

• Christmas paper or plastic gift bags can be reused as carry bags or as pouches for school and office supplies.

• Christmas gift boxes can be reused to store small toys, fashion accessories, needles and threads, photos and mementos, CDs and DVDs, as well as electricity, water and other bills.

• Christmas money envelopes or red packets can be reused to keep gift cards and tags, extra ID pictures, or turned into instant bookmarks.

• Christmas cards can be cut into bookmarks, reused for art projects or saved as decorative materials for the next yuletide celebration.

• Christmas hampers, particularly the native basket, can be reused as containers for fresh fruits, ornamental plants, etc.

In terms of avoiding food waste, Benosa advised the public to avoid over-preparing food or storing them safely. Kitchen wastes such as fruit and vegetable peelings can also be used as composts.

Meanwhile, the group also appealed to avoid the use of firecrackers and fireworks to prevent toxic fumes, lower noise pollution. The group added that this would also lessen injuries related to the use of firecrackers.