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CVRD Holiday Zero Waste Guide
Looking to reduce waste over the holidays? Check out the 2024 Zero Waste Holiday Guide for holiday recycling tips, gift ideas, and gift-wrap alternatives!
Feeling the pressure for last-minute gifts?
Reuse, reuse, reuse!
- Instead of buying something new, celebrate Thriftmas by supporting local reuse stores like Habitat for Humanity's Duncan Restore
- Help friends and family move toward a Zero Waste lifestyle with our local refillery and sustainable living store, PlentiFILL!
Try giving the gift of experiences by:
- Passing on or gifting a new skill such as an art class, sewing class (check out the Spool Yard!), dance lesson or sharing baking tips!
- Making memories with a weekend away or attending a local event such as a book fair, concert or community event.
- Gifting an annual National Parks pass or museum membership.
For those sticking to a budget, check out the Recycling Council of British Columbia’s Experience on a Budget Gift Guide!
Want to go the homemade route instead?
- Share some homemade baking to spread the holiday cheer!
- Get crafty and show off your skills by creating decorations with natural materials.
- Go digital and make a virtual scrapbook, collage or gallery to share memories with loved ones.
For more creative gift ideas, visit the Recycling Council of British Columbia’s Holiday Info Guides!
CVRD Recycling Centre Holiday Hours
CVRD Recycling Centres will be operating at reduced hours during the holiday season.
Bings Creek Recycling Centre
Tuesday, Dec. 24: 8:00 am – 2:00 pm
Wednesday, Dec. 25: CLOSED
Thursday, Dec. 26: CLOSED
Tuesday, Dec. 31: 8:00 am – 2:00 pm
Wednesday, Jan. 1: CLOSED
Peerless Road Recycling Centre
Tuesday, Dec. 24: REGULAR CLOSED DAY
Wednesday, Dec. 25: CLOSED
Thursday, Dec. 26: REGULAR CLOSED DAY
Tuesday, Dec. 31: REGULAR CLOSED DAY
Wednesday, Jan. 1: CLOSED
Meade Creek Recycling Centre
Tuesday, Dec. 24: REGULAR CLOSED DAY
Wednesday, Dec. 25: CLOSED
Thursday, Dec. 26: REGULAR CLOSED DAY
Tuesday, Dec. 31: REGULAR CLOSED DAY
Wednesday, Jan. 1: CLOSED
Canadians throw away 545,000 tonnes of gift wrapping and gift bags each year.
What's important to know, is that not all wrapping paper is recyclable as metallic, glittery, glossy, or foil-lined wrapping paper is incompatible with the recycling process. These wrapping materials contaminate recyclables which can result in entire loads of recycling being sent to the landfill.
Cloth Bags and Wrapping:
Take the reusable route instead!
Handmade or store-bought cloth bags are an excellent alternative to wrapping paper as they can be reused as produce or grocery bags.
Use tea towels, pillowcases, scarves, towels, etc. to make the wrapping a part of the gift! This can be achieved using the Japanese wrapping technique called Furoshiki.
Alternative Paper Materials:
Or, use what you already have with these wrapping paper alternatives:
- Newspaper
- Drawings and paintings
- Book or magazine pages
- Paper bags from the grocery store
- Maps
For more information and wrapping ideas, visit the Recycling Council of British Columbia's green gift wrap guide.
| Can I put this in my curbside recycling tote? | Yes/No | Things to Know |
| Paper gift wrapping | Yes | If you can easily rip the paper, it is recyclable. Glittery, glossy, metallic, and foil-lined paper must be put in the garbage. |
| Gift bags | Yes | Remove handles, metal grommets, and decorations such as bows and ribbons. |
| Greeting cards | Yes | If the card plays music, please remove the batteries and electronic components first. |
| Gift baskets | No | Neither cellophane nor the basket are recyclable. |
| Ribbons and bows | No | Reuse ribbons and bows or put them in the garbage. |
| Broken holiday decorations and ornaments | No | Consider repairing or donating first. Please put ornaments in the garbage if broken. |
| Holiday lights | No | Please take to a CVRD Recycling Centre for recycling. |
Now that the holidays are over, it’s time to take down your decorations, dispose of your live Christmas tree and welcome the new year! Please don’t burn your tree; support healthy hearts and lungs and give back to our community instead by recycling your live Christmas tree at a local chipping fundraiser or CVRD Recycling Centre.
Chip In for the Kids by disposing of your live Christmas tree with the Easter Seals' annual Christmas Tree Recycle. All funds raised will go towards Easter Seals' programs and services, including Camp Shawnigan. Live trees (without tinsel, lights or decorations) will be chipped in exchange for a donation at the following locations:
January 4 – 5, 2025 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Shawnigan Lake
Mason’s Store & Patio Ltd.
Mill Bay
Thrifty Foods
Duncan
BC Forest Discovery Centre
Trees can also be recycled at CVRD Recycling Centres free of charge if the tree stem is < 3 inches. Trees must be disposed of as clean lumber waste at $105/tonne if larger.