Gifts and gift wrapping
Over the festive season we'll use around 150,000km of wrapping paper - and if it's glittery or shiny, it can't be recycled. With a bit of creativity there are better ways.
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Or even better, give gifts you don't have to wrap, such as experiences (for example, tickets to a movie or a play) or gifts of time in the form of babysitting, gardening, cooking etc.
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Another great idea is to have an op shop Christmas.
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Make gifts such as beeswax wraps as gifts which will cut down on the use of cling film.
More homemade gift ideas:
Cards
Send emails or e-cards instead of Christmas cards covered in glitter or foil - which can't be recycled (you'll also save a fortune on stamps!)
Food
Over Christmas, it's estimated that 90% of Australians will throw away 25% of the food they buy. That's a lot of money down the drain!
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Start using stuff in your freezer to make room for Christmas leftovers (like that bag of frozen peas that's been lurking at the back for a while!).
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Make sure you store food correctly, so it lasts longer.
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Plan every meal over the Christmas period and then make a list (be sure to include leftovers in your meal planning).
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If you're short of crockery and cutlery, visit your local op shop for a few extras (you can always donate them again afterwards!).
And don't forget to recycle what you can:
How to recycle household batteries
How to recycle your Christmas rubbish
How composting helps the environment
And finally, did you know that Christmas lights can be recycled as e-waste?
