AT A GLANCE
How do I properly dispose of an Advent wreath?
In order to dispose of an Advent wreath in an environmentally friendly manner, separate it into its components: fir green belongs in the Organic waste bin, leftover candles in the residual waste bin, decoration and blanks depending on the material in the organic waste bin, the yellow sack or the Residual waste.
Can the whole Advent wreath be thrown away?
No. Because the typical Advent wreath consists of several parts, each of which can consist of very different materials.
- blank
- Candles, made of beeswax or paraffin
- fresh fir green
- wire wrapping
- candlestick
- Decoration made of plastic, fabric, metal or wood
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In terms of environmentally friendly waste separation, the Advent wreath should be dismantled into its components before disposal.
In which garbage does the fir green belong?
Fir branches spared from candle wax are purely organic material and may therefore in the bio bin. Whether still green or already dried up. Even if that
Advent wreath loses needles prematurely, the collected material is biowaste. Fir branches may alternatively be added to domestic compost, although the decomposition of coniferous material makes the compost more acidic. The quantities used for the Advent wreath are far too small for this. Another alternative is to put them on the side of the road in the New Year with the Christmas trees to be disposed of.What to do with the blank?
The depends on the material, so look closely! But before you throw away the old blank, see if you can't reuse it. Equipped with a few fresh fir branches and new candles and with other decorations jazzed up he can decorate the next advent season. Otherwise, the following applies: straw, floral foam and other natural materials in the bio bin. Clean styrofoam in the yellow sack. Dirty blanks and those with a solid wire always go in the residual waste bin.
Are wax candles organic waste and the other special waste?
No. candles are no hazardous waste and non-compostable, even though beeswax is a naturally occurring material. Candle stubs that can no longer be used are therefore residual waste. Candles made from crude oil do contain recyclable materials. But only from a quantity of 10 kg would the delivery to a recycling center be worthwhile. These leftover candles from the Advent wreath also go in the residual waste bin.
In which bin do decorations and other parts go?
Candlesticks are mostly reusable, wire too. Otherwise, it's the same with them as with decoration materials are decisive. Untreated dried orange peels, cinnamon sticks and nuts can go in the organic waste bin. But most of the decoration has to go in the residual waste bin if there is no other use for it.
Tip
Less waste with advent wreath alternatives
Nowadays some will Alternatives to conventional Advent wreaths offered. Most of them can be reused for several years. You can also do it yourself with simple means improvise an advent wreath, from which you only have to dispose of the remains of the candle later.