Weird Waste: Unwanted Christmas gifts

Weird Waste – What to do with your unwanted Christmas gifts?

Our #WeirdWaste blog series is here to answer the age-old question: “how am I meant to dispose of this?”

We’re exploring how to recycle, reuse or dispose of unusual household items. Come with us, as we go beyond bottles, cans and card! Today, we’re going to tell you what to do with unwanted Christmas gifts in Bristol.

Christmas is full of joy, laughter, and sometimes a little confusion when you open a gift that just isn’t “you”. Whether it’s the pair of the wrong-sized socks, a novelty mug you’ll never use, or yet another scented candle.

Don’t worry, you’re not alone! Research shows that 3 in 5 UK adults (around 31 million) receive at least one unwanted gift each Christmas. That’s a lot of items that might never see the light of day.

What are the most common unwanted gifts?

Research shows that the most unwanted gifts are:

Clothes
Deodorant gift sets
Soap gift sets
Bath salts/bath bombs
Novelty socks
Hat and scarf gift sets
Candles
Pyjamas
Mugs
Makeup gift sets

It’s not unusual to receive unwanted gifts at Christmas; the question is, what do you do with them?

Don’t want it? Don’t waste it.

Unfortunately, each year, the UK discards approximately £42million worth of unwanted gifts, most of which end up going to waste.

Here are 3 simple things you can do with your unwanted Christmas gifts this year to avoid them going to waste.

Return or exchange it

If you were lucky enough to receive a receipt with your gift, or brave enough to ask for the receipt, why not return it or exchange it for something you will use? Many retailers offer extended post-Christmas return periods.

It’s a win-win; the items get put back into stock and resold, and you get a chance to get something you’ll genuinely use.

Sell it

If your gift is still in great condition and you have the time, why not make a little money back while you’re at it? Online marketplaces like eBay and Facebook Marketplace make it easy to turn an unwanted gift into a little cash. From new clothes to gadgets, many items find a new home quickly.

Selling items via online marketplaces keeps items in use longer and reduces waste. Your unwanted gift might just be perfect for someone else.

Donate it

If selling or returning isn’t an option for you, you can always donate to local charity shops or your local Reuse Shop.

Local charity shops and Reuse Shops take in usable and clean items such as: furniture, electronics, toys, homeware, and books. These items get a second life, while the proceeds support local causes and communities.

Donating items is easy for most people to do and comes with the added bonus of knowing that you’re doing something meaningful and giving back to those who need it most.

Find out more about Bristol Waste’s Reuse Shops