8 ways to a waste-less Christmas and a festive glow up
This Christmas, give your home and your celebrations a glow-up that’s good for the planet and your bank balance. A sustainable festive season can be stylish and fun. Create a holiday that feels more personal, more connected, and less wasteful with our top tips.
1. Start with the three Rs: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
Before the tinsel goes up, think about what you already have and how you can reuse it. Reducing waste starts with mindful choices whether it’s gifts, decorations, or food.
2. Festive glow-up with pre-loved finds
Skip the queues and pricey décor and go shopping at your local Community Recycling Centre (CRC). Most CRCs have Reuse Shops packed with vintage treasures, quirky ornaments, and quality homeware. These finds add character to your home and keep perfectly good items out of landfill.
Glow-up ideas:
- Vintage charm: Hunt for candle holders, serving platters, and glassware for a stylish holiday table.
- DIY magic: Upcycle frames into festive art or turn jars into lanterns.
- Mix with nature: Pair second-hand gems with pinecones, greenery, and flowers for a natural, compostable finish.
- Gift with style: Reuse Shop finds make thoughtful gifts too; choose pieces with history and durability.
3. Create your own natural Christmas wreath
Nothing says “welcome” like a beautiful wreath on your front door and making your own is easier than you think!
- Gather natural materials from your own garden, backyard or local markets – think pinecones, dried flowers, herbs and greenery.
- Use a reusable base (like a wire frame or an old embroidery hoop) and secure your greenery with twine or strips of fabric instead of plastic ties.
- Add a splash of colour with berries or dried citrus slices for a festive touch.
- When the season ends, compost the greenery and store the frame for next year.
This DIY wreath is not only stunning but also waste-free and full of personal charm.
4. Wrap it right
- Avoid glossy or metallic wrapping paper as it can’t be recycled, paper festive wrap is best!
- Use fabric, newspapers, or brown paper for a rustic look.
- Try Furoshiki, the Japanese art of wrapping gifts in reusable cloth.
- Repurpose reusable bags or baskets as gift wrap.
- Reminder: Glossy wrapping paper, ribbons, and soft plastics don’t belong in your recycling bin.
5. Decorate sustainably
- Go natural with pinecones, branches, and flowers. You can compost them later.
- Upcycle decorations from items you already have or find unique pre-loved pieces at your CRC.
- Make stockings from fabric scraps or repurposed materials.
- Important: Decorations with batteries, batteries themselves, and BBQ gas bottles don’t go in kerbside bins.
Check out the main Auckland Council website for places to drop off these items.
6. Choose a conscious Christmas tree
- Opt for a locally sourced real tree that can be composted, or a potted tree you can plant later.
- If you prefer artificial, choose one that will last for many years.
- If you have a real tree to dispose of:
Compost it - separate the branches from the trunk, chop them into small pieces and gradually add them to your compost bin, and use the trunk for firewood. - Check with your private garden waste collection service to see if they accept Christmas trees.
- Some Christmas tree farms will take back trees purchased from anywhere for free and turn them into mulch or compost.
- Some transfer stations and community recycling centres also accept Christmas trees for a fee.
For more details, visit the main Auckland Council website to find the best disposal option near you.
7. Reduce food waste
- Plan meals carefully and buy only what you need.
- Love your leftovers - turn them into new dishes.
- Check out Love Food Hate Waste NZ for recipes.
- Share meals! Hosting a potluck or joining community initiatives reduces waste and saves money. For example,
Everybody Eats in Onehunga offers pay-as-you-feel meals.
Kai Conscious Café on Waiheke rescues food and serves free community lunches every Friday. - After the feast, put bones and scraps in your food scraps bin and they will be turned into energy and fertiliser when collected!
8. Make your events zero waste
- Use reusable plates and cutlery or serve food on napkins.
- Provide tap water or drinks in large bottles or cans (aluminium is recyclable).
- Encourage guests to bring containers for leftovers.
- Set up rubbish, recycling and food scrap bins at your event.
For more ideas: Summer BBQ guide to waste-free fun.
A waste-less Christmas isn’t just about reducing rubbish or saving money (although that helps!), it’s about creating a home that feels warm, unique, and full of stories.
By reusing, upcycling, and shopping second-hand, you’ll give your space a glow-up that’s sustainable and stylish. Visit your local Community Recycling Centre and discover treasures that make this holiday season truly special.