This Christmas, save money and reduce stress by cutting out waste.
Here are new and improved ideas, as well as some tried-and-true ones, for enjoying the festive season without creating a lot of waste:
First, begin with the three Rs – reduce, reuse and recycle.
1. Give gifts with value
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Consider gifts that create little or no waste, that can be reused again and again or recycled at the end of their life.
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Join the #BuyNothingNew trend – challenge yourself to find pre-loved or upcycled gifts for your loved ones. Find your local ReUse Market, like this one in the City Centre.
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If you do buy something new, shop local and choose products with minimal packaging.
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Give the DIY expert in your life the gift of tools with an annual membership for the Auckland Library of Tools, with more than 750 items available to borrow.
A tool library is also available at Waiuku CRC
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Buy experiences, like tickets to a movie or concert, meal vouchers, or gifts with a long lifespan, like artworks or quality cookware.
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The gift you make yourself often has more meaning to the receiver. Think homemade cookies, preserves, or crafts. You can visit your local Community Recycling Centre to find items to upcycle into the perfect gift.
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Instead of physical gifts, consider donating to a charity in someone's name.
2. Reusable-wrap gifts
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Use reusable or recyclable gift-wrapping options, such as fabric, newspapers, or brown paper. Avoid glossy or metallic wrapping paper as these can’t go in the recycling bin.
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The Japanese art of Furoshiki involves wrapping gifts in reusable cloth. This is a beautiful way to show you care about your loved one and the environment.
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Place gifts in reusable bags or baskets that can be repurposed once the gift has been given.
3. Decorate with nature’s flair
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Put up nature’s own decorations, like pinecones, branches, and fresh flowers. These can be composted after use.
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Create your own decorations using recycled materials or items you already have at home.
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Make your own Christmas stockings using fabric scraps or repurposed materials.
4. Oh conscious Christmas tree!
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If you prefer a real tree, consider one that is locally sourced and can be composted after use. Or get a potted tree that can be planted in your garden after the holiday season.
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If you choose an artificial tree, make sure it’s robust enough to be used for many years.
5. Waste-less Food & Entertaining
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Reduce food waste by planning your meals, buy only what you need, and use leftovers creatively. Check out Love Food Hate Waste for an impressive list of ideas and mouthwatering recipes.
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If you know you’ll be feeding the extended family, buy ingredients in bulk to reduce packaging waste.
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After you’ve used the chicken or turkey carcass for making soup or stock, put the leftover bones in your food scraps bin.
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Bring a plate (literally): Going to a Christmas BBQ? Help out your hosts by not only bringing a plate of kai, but also by taking your own dishes and cutlery to avoid using single-use products.
6. Turn the company Christmas party or an extended family BBQ into a Zero Waste Event
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Book a food waste collection service.
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Use reusable plates or offer food on napkins instead of plastic plates.
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Serve tap water or buy soft drinks in larger bottles or aluminium cans to reduce plastic waste. Drop your empty cans at Cans for Kai collections points outside Eden Park, selected Farro stores, and other locations to support a community organisation feeding Auckland families in need.
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Offer takeaways – let people know to bring a reusable container to take extra food home with them.
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Set up Auckland Council recycling and food scrap bins at your function next to rubbish bins.
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You can also book loan gear for free from Auckland Council to support your event. Visit zerowasteevents.org.nz
7. Cards & Invitations approved by Mother Earth
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Send electronic cards or create a digital invitation to reduce paper waste.
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If you prefer traditional cards, choose eco-friendly greeting cards, or cards with seeds embedded into handmade paper that can be planted in the garden.
8. Get it sorted!
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Our rubbish, recycling and food scraps elves will be working all the way through the holidays so give them a great Christmas present – all waste sorted correctly; rinse your containers to avoid recycling contamination and remember only plastics number 1,2, or 5 (look for a number in the centre of a small triangle).
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Christmas and New Year public holidays may affect council collections days. Please check your rubbish, recycling and food scraps collection day for your property at aucklandcouncil.nz/binday.
Join the movement and share your #LowWasteXmas on social media!
Meri Kirihimete!
