We all love spending time with family and friends over Christmas. But it often means lavish meals and gifts, with more wasted food than usual, unwanted presents and a great deal of unnecessary packaging.

Fortunately, minimising these negative impacts doesn’t need to be difficult. Here are some tips to help make this festive season sustainable.

Get creative with your tree

Every plastic Christmas tree will eventually end up in landfill. This year, why not try dressing up an existing plant, using a potted Christmas tree or making one from driftwood or twigs?

If you’re opting for the real deal this year, Council is running free collections for living Christmas trees from 27 December to the end of January. Bookings open from 18 December 2024 and are limited to one tree per household.

Reduce food waste

Plan out your celebratory feast and make a list of produce you need before setting out on a shopping adventure. This will help you to buy only the things you really need.

Send your guests home with leftovers (in reusable food containers!) and ensure that all correct food scraps go into your Food Organics and Garden Organics (FOGO) bin. Remember to either put your food scraps in the FOGO bin loose or in an accepted bright green liner (with the AS 4736 code). 

Buy sustainable gifts

A gift in the form of a donation to a worthy cause, or gifting an experience such as a massage, a cooking course or live show can be great sustainable options. If you are going shopping, remember to shop local!

Minimise soft plastic and packaging

Look for a gift wrap made of recycled or recyclable materials, or consider using newspaper pages or old kids’ drawings to package your gifts in a creative and unique way. The same strategy can be used for decorating your house. 

Keep batteries and electronic waste out of bins

Keep batteries and electronic waste (e-waste) - that's anything with a battery, plug or cord out of your bins. Visit RecycleMate.com.au for disposal options.

Recycle right

What items can go in your recycling bin this festive season?

• Paper and cardboard, including paper wrapping, flattened cardboard boxes and paper greeting cards 
• Glass bottles and jars (lids on) 
• Steel cans, aluminium cans, trays and foil (scrunched in a ball) with food waste removed 
• Hard plastic bottles (lids on) and containers such as empty soft drink bottles, milk bottles and ice cream tubs 

Keep items loose, not bagged.