The Essex-Windsor Solid Waste Authority is asking people to reduce their waste this holiday season. Dec 20, 2018. (Photo courtesy of EWSWA)The Essex-Windsor Solid Waste Authority is asking people to reduce their waste this holiday season. Dec 20, 2018. (Photo courtesy of EWSWA)
Windsor

Reduce holiday waste urges Essex-Windsor Solid Waste Authority

The Essex-Windsor Solid Waste Authority is asking people to reduce their waste this holiday season.

Zero Waste Canada estimates that each Canadian tosses about 50 kg of garbage over the holidays, 25 per cent more than the rest of the year.

The environmental group puts the blame squarely on the purchase of 3,000 tonnes of foil, 2.6 billion Christmas cards and six million rolls of tape.

It said Canadians will send 100,000 elephants worth of wrapping paper to the landfill this year and urges people to recycle more.

Zero Waste Canada added that Canadians will send 540,000 tonnes of wrapping paper and gift bags to the landfill this year.

Statistics Canada shows in 2014, the most recent year for which Canadian data is available, that more than 25 million tonnes of waste ended up in Canadian landfills.

In 2014, Canadians generated more than 700 kg of garbage per person, far higher than the 520 kg averaged by most nations.

Zero Waste Canada has some tips to reduce waste and recycle better.

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