Christmas can be a time of excess – too much food, too much stuff, too much waste. By focusing on reducing waste at Christmas you can save money, reduce your stress and minimise your impact on the planet.
Here are a few ideas for celebrating Christmas that will still make it special but won’t end up in landfill. Start by remembering the three Rs – reduce, reuse and recycle.
Gifts with value
When you’re stressing about what to get your hard-to-buy-for friends and family, it helps to narrow the potential gifts down by thinking about items that create little or no waste, that can be reused again and again or recycled at the end of their life.
Consider gifts that are experiences, like tickets to a movie or concert, meal vouchers, or gifts with a long lifespan, like artworks or quality cookware.
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.
Support local businesses close to home and choose products with minimal packaging or eco-friendly packaging.
Instead of physical gifts, consider donating to a charity in someone's name.
Wrapping gifts
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.
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.
Place gifts in reusable bags or baskets that can be repurposed once the gift has been given.
Decorations with flair
Put up nature’s own decorations, like pinecones, branches, and fresh flowers. These can be composted after use.
Create your own decorations using recycled materials or items you already have at home.
Make your own Christmas stockings using fabric scraps or repurposed materials.
Oh Christmas tree!
If you prefer a real tree, consider one that is locally sourced and can be composted after use. Or consider getting a potted tree that can be planted in your garden after the holiday season.
If you choose an artificial tree, make sure it's of high quality and can be used for many years.
Food & Entertaining
Reduce food waste by planning your meals, buy only what you need and use leftovers creatively. Check out Love Food Hate Waste for more ideas.
If you know you’ll be feeding the extended family, buy ingredients in bulk to reduce packaging waste.
Use reusable plates, cups, and utensils instead of disposable ones.
After you’ve used the chicken or turkey carcass for making soup or stock, put the leftover bones in your food scraps bin.
Cards & Invitations
Send electronic cards or create a digital invitation to reduce paper waste.
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.
Finally
Our rubbish, recycling and food scraps elves will be working all the way through the holidays so give them a great Christmas present – everything sorted correctly!
You can sign up to receive text reminders about any changes to your rubbish, recycling and food scraps collections day during the holidays at aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/holidays.
Meri Kirihimete!
