Have a very conscious Christmas!

‘Tis the season to be jolly, but also mindful.

Over Christmas we generate more waste than any other time of the year with tonnes of wrapping paper, plastic packaging, unwanted gifts, glass bottles, cards, leftover food, fairy lights and Christmas trees ending up in landfill.

Auckland Council WasteWise advisor Courtenay Hunt, who used to work for Mahurangi Wastebusters, says everyone can help reduce waste by having what she calls a conscious Christmas.

“The benefits are that you buy less and simplify things. You can save money, reduce stress and spend more time on what’s important to your whanau, as well as protecting their environment.”

Hunt says to keep it simple – it could be making just one change.

“People can only do what they can do. We want to be encouraging and empowering.

“You could make something for someone. One example is, a few years ago I actually grew loofah shower sponges just for fun.

“So a conscious Christmas is about being mindful. Thinking, planning and having discussions with whomever you’re spending your holidays, with as well as the people that you want to acknowledge through a gift,” she says.

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Ways to reduce waste over Christmas
Tips from Auckland Council

Give gifts with value
• Consider gifts that create little or no waste, that can be reused again and again, or recycled at the end of their life
• Join the #BuyNothingNew trend – challenge yourself to find preloved or upcycled gifts for your loved ones. Find your local ReUse Market
• If you do buy something new, shop local and choose products with
minimal packaging

Reusable-wrap 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
Decorate with nature’s flair
• Put up nature’s own decorations, like pine cones, 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 conscious Christmas tree!
• 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
• If you choose an artificial tree, make sure it’s robust enough to be used for many years

Waste-less food and entertaining
• 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
• If you know you’ll be feeding the extended family, buy ingredients in bulk to reduce packaging waste
• After you’ve used the chicken or turkey carcass for making soup or stock, put the leftover bones in your food scraps bin
• 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

Turn the company Christmas party or an extended family BBQ into a Zero Waste Event
• Book a food waste collection service
• Use reusable plates or offer food on napkins instead of plastic plates
• Serve tap water or buy soft drinks in larger bottles or aluminium cans to reduce plastic waste
• Offer takeaways – let people know to bring a reusable container to take extra food home with them
• Set up Auckland Council recycling and food scrap bins at your function next to rubbish bins
• You can also book loan gear for free from Auckland Council to support your event.

Visit zerowasteevents.org.nz

Cards and invitations approved by Mother Earth

• 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
Get it sorted!

• 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)

• 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.