Black Friday is the time for many people to buy new products cheaply. Did you buy something new because you couldn't borrow it or find it second-hand? Then chances are that it came with a lot of packaging and cardboard. Instead of throwing it away, you can reuse it smartly and sustainably. This way, you help the environment as well as giving packaging a second life. After Black Friday, use these tips to deal with your packaging in an easy and responsible way.
1. Re-use it for your own shipments
Need to send something yourself, such as a gift or a return shipment? Many packaging materials, such as air cushions, bubble wrap and cardboard, can be reused. This will not only save you money, but also reduce waste.
2. What belongs where? Recycle it properly
What belongs where? Many packaging materials such as paper, cardboard, bubble wrap and polystyrene can be recycled. Therefore, make sure you dispose of the materials separately and in the right bin.
Paper
If you can tear paper then it can go with the paper. Can't? Then it should go with the residual waste.
Cardboard boxes
Cardboard boxes belong in the waste paper. Make them flat and small, then more will fit in the container.
Styrofoam
Put small pieces of Styrofoam in the residual waste. Do you have larger pieces? Then take them to the waste disposal site with your environmental pass.
Air-cushion bags and bubble wrap
Air cushions and bubble wrap are allowed with your plastic packaging, metal packaging and beverage containers (pmd*).
3. Turn it into something new
Give packaging materials a second life. Bubble wrap, for example, is perfect for craft projects with children or to keep fragile items safe. Use cardboard to make storage boxes or creative decorations. Please note that as soon as craft materials are painted, glued or combined with other materials, they cannot be recycled. Even if you segregate waste carefully, painted or glued craft materials should go with the residual waste. So try techniques that require little or no glue, such as folding or attaching with string. Choose unpainted cardboard, recycled paper or fabrics that can be reused. If you need glue, choose durable glue.
4. Ask for less packaging material
Did you know that many online shops allow you to specify that you want to receive less packaging? Or maybe you can collect your order locally, so packaging material is not needed at all. It's always good to ask shops about their packaging policy, especially during busy periods like Sinterklaas, Christmas and Black Friday.
*Do you live in a high-rise or low-rise building without a pmd container? Then throw away pmd and residual waste together in a collection container for residual waste in the neighbourhood. This waste is collected separately and later sorted by machines.
For more tips, visit waardlanden.nl/tips