Be Kind: How To Recycle Valentine's Day Cards and Gifts

When it comes to days to show your loved ones how you feel, Valentine’s Day is always a great opportunity. The day celebrates romantic love, as well as love for our friends and families. The heightened gift-giving of the holiday does however increase the amount of waste we might receive.

Learn how to give different types of gifts new life in your home, how to responsibly give gifts to others, and the ways to dispose of unwanted cards and presents.



Repurpose Gifts

If you have been giving something sentimental, repurposing a gift into something you can use regularly, or can decorate your home. Try creating a collage, using each card you received to create welcoming decor in your home. Many gifts also come with ribbons, which could be used to create bunting or wrapped around birthday presents throughout the year.

Consider Amounts and Materials

When it comes to getting presents for one another, it can be tempting to throw huge amounts of money into giving to everyone you love. This can be bad for both your wallet and for the environment.

If you are deciding to give a large quantity of gifts, think about what it is you’re giving. Can the items be disposed of responsibly? Many cards can be recycled, as with chocolates boxes and wine bottles. Research the recyclable properties of an item before purchasing it, to make sure it can go to the right recycling service.

Avoid giving presents that can’t be recycled where possible. Instead, try making small gifts for people that can be reused or repurposed, rather than temporary presents. Try making a Valentine’s card by hand, or giving flowers, which decompose naturally.

Recycle Items

When receiving items, make sure you’re sending them to the correct recycling service to give them a new life. Recycled presents can be transformed into useful materials, such as reusable shopping bags or new greeting cards.

If your waste does end up in a waste site, try to make sure it’s an eco-friendly landfill. These centres will sort the waste that ends up there, making sure that recyclable waste isn’t needlessly destroyed. They will also make sure that unrecyclable waste is disposed of correctly.

What We Do

At WM Thompson, we love giving waste a new life. Our eco-friendly landfill site results in well-sorted waste, preventing recyclable items from being destroyed. We are committed to keeping our responsibility to the environment, even when it comes to our quarry products. We offer our services in Glasgow and beyond, helping us to provide the best waste solutions to a variety of customers.

Visit our website to learn more about our team, or get in contact today for more information about our services.