Christmas is a huge time of waste and over consumption. So we’re sharing some tips to help you rethink how we celebrate it and avoid waste. 

Choose LED Christmas lights: LED lights have a much longer lifespan than regular lights in addition to not creating heat emissions (much safer!)

No food waste: 

• Plan what you need by making a list and don’t buy extra
• Buy local and organic if you can to reduce any emissions from the food
• Store leftovers properly in the fridge – or freeze them to last longer!
• Be creative with your leftovers – potatoes can be fried or made into potato cakes, meat can make sandwiches, veg can go into a stir fry, uncooked cabbage or sprouts can make sauerkraut
• Share leftover food with guests – send them home with a doggy bag!

Shop your wardrobe for Christmas nights out: You do not need to buy anything new! The most sustainable, ethical outfit is the one you already own – wear what’s in your wardrobe. Wear it twice! If you really want a change, borrow or swap with a friend. For a special occasion or a big event, you can even rent an outfit!

Take public transport: If possible choose public transport or try to arrange car pooling with the other guests. Save fuel and save money!

Gift sustainably: 

• Organise kris kindle to reduce the amount of gifts given
• Gift swap – give gift receipts in case the recipient wants to exchange it or organise a gift swap with friends for anything you won’t use
• Buy second hand or vintage items – you can turn up some true treasures! Try charity shops or flea markets, or shop online on places like Vinted 
• Buy an experience – a spa day or a workshop, concert tickets or a subscription
• Give a charity donation or donate time on their behalf
• Make them a gift! Crochet or knit an item, bake them a batch of cookies or forage a bouquet

Decorate gifts creatively:

• Reuse gift wrap and gift bags
• Use newspaper or brown paper to wrap gifts
• Wrap your gifts in cloths, scarves, or tea towels that can become part of the gift
• Decorate with leaves or berries that can be composted or dried fruit that then be hung in a garland or spices like cinnamon that can be used in cooking

Don’t buy a Christmas jumper: You definitely don’t need a new Christmas jumper this festive period but if you want a change, swap it for a new-to-you one! Organise a swap with friends or family. Or sew some shapes or patches onto yours for a new look! Or don’t wear one this year but check the charity shops after Christmas for next year

Sustainable decorating:

• Buy decorations in charity shops
• Make wreaths with leaves and berries from the wild or mini rosemary wreaths to hang as decorations
• Place sprigs of holly or other plants and pine cones around your home 
• Dry citrus fruits like orange or lemon to use as decorations
• Use newspaper to make paper chains
• Keep anything you can for next year and compost the rest!

Alternative tree options:

• Rent a tree 
• Buy a second hand fake tree and reuse it every year
• Design a tree! Use items like branches, corks and cardboard to build your own tree. You can use materials you already own and hang it on a wall or make it 3D
• Put some LED lights and a few decorations on one of your houseplants 

So this Christmas, Cork Zero Waste says get creative and avoid waste but also remember what Christmas is really about, not gifts and decorations but spending time with your loved ones.