We wish you a Merry – and Sustainable – Christmas! 

Christmas is a time for family, feasts, and fun, but can also carry a significant environmental impact. Wasteminz estimates that the festive season creates 30% extra waste each year. In Aotearoa New Zealand we'll get through 1600 tonnes of wrapping paper, (that's equivalent to 10,000 trees), 25,000 tonnes of plastic packaging waste and we'll waste a third of our Christmas food. That also means we are wasting a lot of money! 

With a bit of planning and mindful choices, you can have a more sustainable Christmas celebration while still enjoying the season. Here are some ideas: 

• Choose Eco-Friendly Gifts

Gift-giving is a central part of Christmas, but can put added pressure on both your wallet and the planet. It’s great to support small businesses and local artisans making unique treasures with a lighter impact. Consider having some boundaries for your whole whanau such as a price cap, zero plastic, only hand-made (think of baking, crafting or potting a plant) or a promise of quality time (such as babysitting or gardening). Join the #BuyNothingNew trend – challenge yourself to find pre-loved or upcycled gifts for your loved ones. 

There are lots of sustainable wrapping options too such as doodling on your own paper, investing in reusable fabric gift bags (and Christmas crackers) from Waste-Free Celebrations or learn the beautiful art of Japanese fabric wrapping called furoshiki.  

If you choose wrapping paper give it the “scrunch test” to check that it can be recycled. Here’s how: If the paper scrunches into a ball and stays scrunched (instead of flattening back out or unfolding), then it’s probably pure paper and can be recycled. If it doesn’t stay in a ball, it probably can’t be recycled. Patterned or plain paper can be recycled through council provided household bins. 

Of course, in a world where most people already have more stuff than they need, a great option is to gift experiences instead, such as concert tickets, restaurant vouchers, or a voucher to a tourism activity — check out the special deals being offered by TIA members. Chuffed Gifts are a TIA member who specialise in gifting experiences. They have options from all over the country and are a fantastic last-minute idea as their vouchers are available online in an instant!   

• Sustainable Decorations

What is best to use? A real tree or a fake one that you reuse year after year?  

Real Trees are likely a better environmental option if they are sourced locally and composted after use rather than discarded into landfill. Christmas tree farms are a local business, the trees store carbon through the year, and the space where the tree was grown, is generally replanted with another tree. As an added bonus they will make your house smell wonderful! The ultimate is to have a tree growing in a pot which you bring inside each year.  

Artificial Trees – if you have already got one, then use it! Their environmental impact reduces if they are reused for at least 10 years. As they are usually made of PVC plastic, steel and aluminium all fused together they can’t be recycled, and they will eventually need to be disposed of into landfill. 

Alternative Trees There are so many stylish alternatives available these days so get creative and make a tree out of natural materials such as driftwood. Check out these plywood trees that are made in NZ and will last a lifetime.  

• Feast with Care

Aotearoa New Zealand’s summer Christmas often features barbecues, fresh seafood, and of course fresh berries. Source your ingredients from local, organic producers. Buying from a local farmers market not only reduces the carbon footprint associated with transportation but also helps to sustain our agricultural industry.  

By incorporating more plant-based foods into your menu, you reduce your environmental impact, especially when it comes to water use and carbon emissions. Reduce food waste by enjoying your leftovers on boxing day, and composting food scraps. Check out Love Food Hate Waste for an impressive list of ideas and recipes. 

Keep it classy by serving your meal on washable plates, cutlery, and drinkware. Some of the best conversations happen in the kitchen, so cleaning up does have some benefits!  

If you’re hosting a larger gathering, consider renting items instead of buying disposable ones. If you choose compostable plates make sure that you separate them out and actually put them into a compost heap. You’ll need to double check if they are home compostable or only commercially compostable.  

• Reduce Energy Consumption

We’ve got to have a bit of sparkle at Christmas but opt for energy-efficient LED lights, which use less power and last longer. Of course candles add to the atmosphere once the sun has set.  

• Support Local Charities

Christmas is about giving, and supporting local charities is an excellent way to give back to our communities. Donate to food banks, give unwanted clothes and toys to those in need, or volunteer at a community event.  

We encourage you all to find ways to celebrate today, so that your great grand children will still be able to party into the future. Let this Christmas be a time to celebrate not only the spirit of giving but also the health and preservation of the beautiful planet we all share.