December brings its usual mix of celebrations, last-minute shopping and long-awaited family time. Families gather around braais, year-end functions fill calendars, and communities across the country embrace the spirit of rest, reflection, and joy. But it’s also the time when packaging waste spikes the most during festive season activities. This year, a few small smart switches can help you celebrate sustainably and make a real impact in your community.
This December, The Glass Recycling Company (TGRC) is encouraging South Africans to make glass recycling a simple part of their holiday routine. From sparkling beverages and sauces to condiments and festive treats, glass-packaged products play a central role in how we celebrate. They elevate our tables, keep our refreshments cold, and are a familiar part of December traditions shared with the people we care about most.
TGRC is encouraging everyone to start with one simple action: taking your glass to your nearest glass recycling bank.
- Make sure glass finds its way to the glass recycling bank
From condiments and cooking essentials to holiday beverages, glass is certainly a well-used festive packaging choice. A chilled bottle looks good but more importantly, it’s endlessly recyclable.
Make it part of your routine:
- After your braai, lunch or party, rinse your glass bottles and jars if they have food residue
- Set aside a dedicated glass bin/bag or box
- Once you have a full bag, add it to your boot for your next shopping run
- Drop it off at your nearest glass recycling bank.
The TGRC glass bank network is designed for convenience: locations are open to the public, easy to access, and nearby.
- Gifts in Glass
Encourage a new family tradition this year, consider swapping single-use gift wrapping for reusable jars – fill jars with biscuits, homemade chutney, sauces or even stationery and hair accessories to make fun personal DIY gifts. It’s thoughtful, personal, and the packaging lives on long after the gift is opened. The packaging from the gifts you receive in glass jars, bottles, festive drink containers can be recycled.
- Rethink your Festive Table
Whether it’s a sparkling celebration drink, a refreshing cooler, or a handmade sauce passed around the table, glass packaging whether new or reused adds festive charm to your table. It adds elegance to any meal or gathering, becoming part of the aesthetic that makes the holidays feel special. Glass décor elevates your festive table and can reduce unnecessary décor spending – simply put: glass can bring simple, elegant touches to your holiday table without extra cost.
Try these simple reuse ideas:
- Reuse glass bottles and jars as centrepieces, dipping bowls or candle holders
- Repurpose beautiful glass bottles as water decanters for the table
- Serve homemade festive drinks in refilled glass bottles or jars to make fun quirky cocktails and punches – it saves on washing up and adds flair to your entertaining
- Add fairy lights to bottles for ambience, and safe flame-free lighting
- Individual desserts served in small jars add an extra touch of magic and a personal feel
And when the guests leave? Every single glass jar or bottle can be recycled at a glass bank.
- Gift leftovers in Glass
December is a time of big meals and even bigger leftovers. While you’re chopping, mixing and storing:
- Save glass jars for homemade sauces, desserts or spice mixes.
- Reuse jars for leftover storage instead of single use disposables.
- Once you’re done with bottles and jars – reuse once more – or recycle! Because even if the food disappears, the glass shouldn’t.
A festive season that sparkles responsibly
Sustainability doesn’t have to feel heavy or complicated. It’s about simple daily choices: recycling your glass bottles and jars is one of the easiest. As you celebrate, gather and make memories, let your choices reflect the future you want, cleaner streets, greener holidays and a recycling culture that benefits everyone. Add a glass bank run to your December errands. A single drop-off can move kilos of glass back into the recycling loop, a small action with a large ripple effect.
As we step into the holidays, TGRC celebrates the many South Africans who continue to champion sustainability in their homes and communities. By choosing glass and recycling it responsibly, families help protect the environment while contributing to a circular economy that benefits all.
SUPPLIED.
