The holiday season is finally here, and it is a well-deserved break at the end of the year to spend with family and friends. It is also a time for sharing happiness, food, decorating and, of course, giving. But there is no reason the festivities should come at the cost of the environment. According to the Department of Health and Environmental Control, the average household’s waste increases between 25 and 40% over the holidays. So we have put together a few tips to help you reduce waste and have a more sustainable Christmas.
Materials matter
Choose natural, organic or highly recycled materials such as glass or metal. If it is made of plastic, it is usually worth putting back and looking for an alternative. You can also upcycle old items and mix them with organic materials to create unique eco-friendly decorations.
Choose solar or LED lighting
Solar or LED lights reduce your footprint and save on your power bill. LED lamps have a greater lifespan and far better electrical efficiency than conventional lighting. Solar LED lights go a step further: as well as using renewable energy, they have no external wiring, so there is minimal chance of a child, dog or visitor tripping on cords.
Think furoshiki for wrapping
Furoshiki are traditional Japanese cloths used to carry food, clothes or gifts. They are attractive and reusable, and they avoid the piles of waste created by conventional wrapping paper that gets shredded within minutes. Fabric is also more forgiving than paper for oddly shaped gifts. Finish with dried flowers or a twig of rosemary.
Create decorations from natural materials
Rather than buying new decorations made from plastic, spend the time with people you love making something instead. Organic materials are easy to find — a walk through the bush or along the beach turns up pinecones, driftwood and greenery. Salt dough ornaments are an easy afternoon with children.
Gift experiences, or something that gets used up
When we gift an experience rather than an object, we help the receiver create a memory and avoid adding to the pile of things that may never be used. According to the Huffington Post, Australians receive over 20 million unwanted gifts at Christmas.
If you would rather give something physical, the next best thing is something that gets used and then genuinely recycled. Our Eco Bundle and Retreat Sample Pack both come in refillable aluminium, and a gift card lets the recipient choose for themselves — which is its own form of waste reduction.
