What if this Christmas you could help reduce waste?
Wasteless Pantry was recognised by the Waste Authority of WA as Waste Champions for 2017 and Highly Commended as Waste Team of the Year in 2018, but we think we know a fair few champions ourselves. Our community is full of great people showing the way for their families and friends in how to live a low waste lifestyle. There is no better time of the year to lead others to this path than at Christmas when so many increase their already wasteful ways.
Every year millions of unwanted gifts are excessively packaged and wrapped, appreciated for only a moment before they are stored away unused, thrown away, regifted or sold. Kerbside bins are overflowing with polystyrene, wrapping, packaging, wasted food and plastic bags from buying all this stuff in the first place. It’s hardly a picture of love and peace toward all mankind. All that rubbish will end up on someone’s doorstep or in the fish on someone’s plate!
Instead of getting wasted, let’s prepare ourselves for our most enjoyable and sustainable year yet.
Planning
The key to zero waste living, low waste lifestyles, or just taking a little more care about the waste we create is all in the planning.
Think ahead about the type of Christmas you want to have. Is it important to you to have family traditions? Spending time with loved ones? Being generous? Feeling relaxed and restful? Having lots of celebrations and fun? Eating great food? Whatever the inspiration, remembering the overall big picture values you want to strive for will help you decide just how important that $2 plastic toy really is at this time of year.
When you are planning meals, plan to the plate, not to your stomach’s desires. If you are anything like me then if there is a buffet style meal on offer you want to try a bit of everything! With this in mind, cater for what will fit on a plate and no more. If your guest has to have seconds just to try everything on offer there is a good chance you will have lots of leftovers to deal with. Also, save yourself some effort and turn Christmas lunch leftovers into an easy Christmas dinner. You don’t have to serve up a repeat of lunch, with minimal creativity you can still offer something that will be delicious using what is already at hand.
Share the load with preparing food and also with distributing out the leftovers. Make sure everyone brings a sizable container for any leftovers and then you’ve given the gift of a Boxing Day that doesn’t require any cooking 🙂
Serve your favourite Christmas dishes in containers that are beautiful on display and also have lids for putting away any leftovers straight after the meal. If it doesn’t make it to the fridge quickly and easily, there is a good chance it will get thrown out. Plus no-one likes dodgy food or having to tackle the clingwrap.
Get your bins ready. Whilst I would love to hear that you didn’t need a bin at all during the festive season, the reality is that most will. So with that in mind, make sure your bins are clearly marked for recycling, composting, or even reusing (kids love boxes!). Know your recycling facilities available too so that you can save as much as possible from landfill.
More ideas to come on this topic….
How are you getting ready for low waste celebrations?