5 December 2024
Christmas is a season of joy and generosity, and it’s also a time when we let ourselves appreciate all the festive trimmings. From overspending and overindulging to overflowing, the festive season sees our rubbish bins fill faster than any other time of year. In fact, waste levels spike by more than 30% over Christmas, with wrapping paper, packaging and uneaten food leading the charge. This year, waste education warrior Sort-It Sally encourages Southern Downs residents to embrace a waste-wise Christmas. Here are her practical tips to reduce waste while still spreading cheer.
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Give thoughtfully: Start your waste-wise journey with thoughtful gifting. Choose experiences like movie tickets or cooking classes that create lasting memories without clutter. Homemade gifts such as baked goods or crafts show thoughtfulness and reduce packaging. Surprisingly, while 78% of Australians enjoy giving gifts, 48% would prefer not to receive them.
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Shop second-hand: Discover Christmas treasures in the Endeavour Foundation Recycle Shops at Council’s supervised waste facilities. From decorations to gifts, pre-loved items can be given new life and repurposed for a fraction of the price.
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Decorate sustainably: When it comes to decorating, think sustainable. Use nature’s offerings of pinecones, branches and dried fruits to create beautiful, biodegradable decorations. Additionally, investing in reusable ornaments or crafting your own from recycled materials can add a unique flair to holiday decor.
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Wrap creatively: Rethink gift wrapping! Australians use more than 8000 tonnes of Christmas gift wrapping paper each year. Consider using fabric, old newspapers or brown paper bags. These options can be decorated with twine or natural elements, steering clear of plastic ribbons and sticky tape. Reusing gift bags and using last year’s Christmas cards to make gift tags also contributes to a waste-wise celebration.
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Embrace meal planning: Ninety per cent of Australians throw out more than 25% of their food during the month of December. Combat waste by creating a meal plan that ensures you use all your ingredients effectively. Get creative with leftovers by incorporating them into new dishes. Sourcing ingredients from local farmers’ markets supports local businesses and also reduces your carbon footprint, making holiday meals more sustainable.
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Host a waste-wise Christmas lunch: Send digital invitations instead of paper ones to cut down on waste. Also, set up a compost bin for food scraps and clearly marked recycling bins for guests. This encourages everyone to participate in reducing waste and makes your Christmas event waste-wise.
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Recycle a real Christmas tree: While 85% of Australians reuse their Christmas trees, a two-metre artificial tree has a carbon footprint ten times greater than a real tree and is generally not recyclable. Choose a real potted tree that can be reused or planted after Christmas.
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Share waste-wise ideas: Discussing waste-wise ideas can inspire others to adopt similar habits. You might even start new traditions focused on sustainability, reinforcing the importance of sustainable waste management practices.
By embracing practical, waste-reducing tips into your holiday celebrations, you can enjoy a festive season that is both joyful and waste-wise!
Last edited date 05 Dec 2024