What do you do with the Christmas paper, the fat from the ribs and all the other scraps?

Did you know that fat should not be flushed down the toilet or onto a milk carton?

Background: Through a series of articles, we provide consumers with tips and tricks so they can live a greener life. No index fingers, just lighting.

The expert: Sylvelin Aadland, employee of LOOP, a foundation for sorting and recycling. Responsible for Sorter.no and the Sorter application.

– Christmas is a time of more consumption than at any other time of the year. It produces more waste than normal, says Aadland.

If things still work, you can give them away or sell them, he recommends. At the same time, it is inevitable that there will be some waste in the form of wrapping paper, Christmas trees, and food.

1. Food: leftovers and fat

– A lot of food is thrown away at Christmas, because people tend to buy more than they eat. Plan a leftover meal, says Aadland.

Maybe you can cut the recipe in half when making Christmas cakes?

• Rib fat and sheep fat should not be flushed down the sink or toilet, according to Aadland. Grease hardens and can clog pipes. Fat can also attract rats.
• Aadland suggests using the fat in other cooking, as a seasoning in sauces and baked potatoes. What you can’t use can be frozen like ice cubes.
• If you need to get rid of the fat, let it sit first. When stiff, the fat can be disposed of into food waste or residual waste.
• The used liquid cooking oil can be poured back into the empty oil bottle and poured into it. Alternatively, you can store it in an airtight container with a cork. The milk carton doesn’t last, according to Aadland.

2. Is wrapping paper waste or waste paper?

– It’s a little sigh of relief. Most wrapping paper is shiny and should be disposed of as residual trash. Also when it is packed in store. At the same time, we see that several stores sell recyclable Christmas paper, that is, gray paper, says Aadland.

• Gray paper or kraft paper can be classified as paper. Some people sell gray patterned or patterned paper, but you can decorate the paper yourself as well.
• Glossy paper is residual waste. In some places, the municipality provides bags for the wrapping paper.
• Ribbon is residual waste, but you can think creatively: How about a reusable silk ribbon or some scraps of yarn?
• Used containers or newspaper can also be used for wrapping. Or one of the thousand drawings of children in the drawer.

Crushed Christmas balls / Christmas decorations

Broken or broken Christmas baubles are residual waste, according to Aadland. Some are made from combinations of materials. In any case, only the containers should be classified in the glass and metal container.

NOTE! The broken balls should be wrapped so that those handlers do not cut themselves.

– You don’t have to buy new decorations every year. It corrodes the planet and it’s not that personal. Re-highlighting the decor is a joy. Part of the charm of Christmas is precisely tradition, believes Aadland.

4. Candles: electric and candles

Electric light: Electrical waste is delivered to stores that sell similarly. For example, Christmas bracelets can be delivered to stores that sell similarly, even if they have other brands.

Light bulbs and batteries can be delivered to all grocery stores because they sell such items. Some decorations can be used even if the light no longer works because it is a nice decoration, Aadland notes.

Candles: Stumps are residual waste. Aadland has heard that some garbage companies collect garbage for schools and kindergartens. The aluminum form of the tea lights can be recycled as metal packaging. Throw the small, round box the wick is stuck in.

5. Don’t light the fireplace with the Christmas tree

In some municipalities, Christmas trees are collected at set times after Christmas. Some co-owners organize the same, according to Aadland.

The wood can be delivered to the recycling station. There should be no short process in the chimney. In the worst case, burning Christmas trees can cause a fire in a pipeline, according to Sintef.

6. More than you have to throw away? How to order:

• Aerosol cans with snow or glitter: Hazardous waste.
• Wooden net / Christmas tree net: Waste.
• Bubble wrap: classified as plastic packaging. It can also be used to wrap Christmas balls, etc.
• Fireworks – Unused delivered to a store that sells fireworks. Used is disposed of as waste or waste at the recycling station if you are sure it has been used up or empty.
• Broken glasses and glasses: Waste.
• Styrofoam – Small amounts are residual waste. Greater amounts for recycling.
• Advent Calendar: Divide it and order the parts.