Waste Less, Celebrate More this Holiday Season

Whilst it’s always lots of fun, the holiday season is one of Australia’s most waste-intensive times of the year, with household waste increasing significantly.

Wrapping paper, plastic packaging, decorations and excess food all contribute to a significant spike in landfill. The good news is that small, achievable choices can meaningfully reduce festive waste while keeping the joy of celebration intact, and help create a holiday that’s joyful, low-waste and kinder to the planet and our local environments.

Below are practical, easy-to-adopt tips to help you celebrate more sustainably this year.

Rethink and Refuse Before You Buy

• Pause before making Christmas purchases and consider whether the item is needed.
• Say no to novelty or single-use products (e.g., glitter wrapping, plastic stocking fillers).
• Choose durable items that can be reused year after year.

Reduce Excess Food Waste

• Plan meals thoughtfully, especially for large gatherings.
• Buy only what you need and portion appropriately.
• Use leftovers creatively to avoid food waste.

Reuse What You Already Have

• Keep and repurpose gift bags, paper, ribbons or last year’s decorations.
• Refill jars or tins for homemade treats and gifts.
• Swap decorations with friends or neighbours instead of buying new.

Repair Before Replacing

• Mend decorations, toys or household items rather than discarding them.
• A quick fix can keep your festive items going for many more seasons.

Recycle Correctly

• Place cardboard boxes and plain paper wrapping in the recycling bin.
• Glitter-covered or metallic wrapping, tinsel, bon bons and their toys must go to your general waste bin
• Flatten boxes and remove tape where possible to ensure proper recycling.

While small changes like reusing decorations or planning meals thoughtfully can make a difference, some households may want a more structured approach to gradually reduce festive waste. To make it easier to bring these changes into your home – here is a simple three-tier guide you can follow. Whether you’re just starting out or ready to go all-in, these tiers offer practical ideas to celebrate joyfully while reducing your waste impact.

Green Shoots

Start small with simple swaps that make an immediate difference. Wrap gifts with recycled paper or reusable bags, choose natural or DIY decorations, and plan meals to buy only what you need. Even these small actions help create a lower-waste, more mindful celebration.

Eco Explorer

Take it a step further by making thoughtful, intentional choices. Gift experiences, handmade or second-hand items, wrap with cloth or repurposed materials, and pick seasonal or locally made gifts and decorations. Using what you already have and avoiding single-use items adds up to big savings for both your wallet and the environment.

Eco Champion

Ready to fully embrace a low-waste holiday? Focus on experiences over excess, borrow, share, and upcycle whenever possible, and ensure you have a clear plan for composting, recycling, and avoiding plastics. Support local makers and inspire others with your sustainable celebration, building habits that grow and evolve each year.

For a handy reference, we’ve condensed these tier tips into a simple one-page guide, which you can print off and stick on the family fridge! Whether you’re a Green Shoot just starting out, an Eco Explorer looking to level up, or an Eco Champion aiming for a fully low-waste celebration, this guide makes it easy to put sustainable ideas into action.

To take your sustainable festive season even further, you can watch the full Clean Up Australia ‘Waste Less, Celebrate More’ webinar which was presented by  sustainability educator Annie Woollard – lead educator at Footprints On The Globe. In the session, Annie dives deeper into practical strategies, tips for reducing holiday waste, and guides you through creative, low-waste ways to celebrate with family and friends.