With Christmas just around the corner, here’s some great ways you can avoid, reduce and re-use waste, which can save you time and money too!
Avoid
Galaxy research for Gumtree last year (2017) shows that we are wasting a staggering $620 million on unwanted gifts! Seven out of 10 Australians received at least one unwanted gift at Christmas which equates more than 60 million unwanted gifts. So find out what your recipients really want. Choose an experience to enjoy together or a charity gift such as Oxfam’s unwrapped gift of goats to a village in Africa.
Adopt the reverse advent Calendar. Instead of buying
an advent calendar filled with lots of individually wrapped chocolate, each day in the month leading up to
Christmas, add an item to a box, such food, toiletries and good quality toys. Then on Christmas eve donate the
box to a Charity
Avoid wasting food by planning ahead and serving smaller portions. Eat the leftovers with another feast on Boxing Day (also a great hangover cure).
Choose a live Christmas tree instead of a plastic one. It will fill your home with a lovely fresh pine scent. Then when Christmas is over, you can mulch or cut up the tree and place it in your green lidded bin.
Reduce
Rather than getting everyone a present, just BE present. The time you spend with family and friends is much more valuable!
Embrace the Kris Kringle method and purchase one good gift per person, rather than lots of gifts for everyone. This will save you time, money and waste.
Provide rechargeable batteries and a recharger pack with any battery operated gifts. It will save money and ensure that less batteries are used. Batteries can be recycled at ALDI and IKEA stores as well as some local Councils. Check with your local Council if they have a collection point or check on the Australian Battery Recycling Initiative website for recycling locations.
Choose to Re-Use
Buy good quality decorations that can be reused for many years to come. Or why not make your own? Also a great holiday activity for the kids!
Reuse Christmas paper and cards or make your own…another great holiday activity for the kids!
Purchase pre-loved gifts and items made from recycled materials.
Recycle
Remember to recycle your paper Christmas wrapping, cards, cardboard boxes, bottles, cans, tins, milk, juice and custard cartons, foil trays and foil wrappers.
Compost
Compost your food scraps through your compost bin, worm farm or in the Food and Garden Organics/FOGO (green lid)
(Note: Food scraps can be placed in the FOGO (green lid) bin in most SA metropolitan Council areas. Not all councils or all regional areas can accept food scraps so please check with your local Council.)
Compost or mulch your live Christmas tree.