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Wrapping paper
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Shiny foil-based, plastic or cellophane, glitter-based or other non-recyclable wrapping. This goes to landfill.
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Recyclable paper – dress up with dried flowers, twine or drawings. Remove any sticky tape and recycle.
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Reusable fabric or children’s artworks. Take care when opening, fold and store for next year.
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Plates and cutlery
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Single-use, disposable plates and cutlery.
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Reusable plates and cutlery. Why not make a production line for doing the dishes, put some music on and make it a fun, shared experience.
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Food
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Buying and making too much food that doesn’t get eaten.
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Purchase or make only what you need. Consider how many people you have and make a list.
Compost your leftover food or put into your green lid organics bin.
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Purchase or shop for food locally.
Avoid excess food packaging.
Love your leftovers! Google search your ingredients to find recipes.
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Christmas gifts
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Plastic, single-use or unwanted gifts. Try to limit overspending on ‘obligation’ presents.
Most toys are made of a mix of materials and different types of plastics and can’t go in the recycling bin.
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Write a list of people you want to buy for and choose meaningful gifts.
Purchase items made of recycled or sustainable materials and minimise packaging where possible.
Big W recycles old and broken toys, including plastic items, electronic toys (batteries removed), plush toys, metal toys.
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Thoughtful gifts; choose quality over spend amount.
Gift vouchers and experience gifts are a great idea.
You can re-gift unwanted presents or donate to an op-shop. We won’t tell.
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Christmas trees Maybe a little late for this year, but bookmark for next year!
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New plastic Christmas trees, or if you already have one, make it last.
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Living Christmas tree; 100% biodegradable and renewable. If your tree doesn’t last, you can mulch or put in your green organics bin. Did you know you can lease a tree each year?
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Buy a native tree in a pot. Decorate and then return outside each year after Christmas.
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Decorations
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Avoid single-use plastic decorations, glitter and glowing decorations.
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Reusable decorations you can store until next year.
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Consider recycled or sustainable materials such as: wood, metal, fabric or natural materials such as leaves and flowers.
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Bon-bons
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Avoid single-use bon-bons with plastic toys and gifts.
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Sustainable bon-bons with useful and sustainable gifts.
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Why not make your own, using fabric coverings?
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Christmas lights
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Don’t run your lights all night long, it’s not just a drain on energy, but a drain on your wallet.
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Don’t turn on your lights until it’s dark and try turning off your lights an hour earlier to save power.
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LED lights use less energy, reducing your bill and your carbon footprint.
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Transport
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Taking multiple cars to the same location.
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Carpool, walk or ride to your celebrations. Great for managing responsible safe driving behaviours.
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