28 Nov 2022

30+ TIPS FOR A PLASTIC FREE CHRISTMAS

Christmas is often a time of excess and over-consumption, with plastic and single-use packaging at the centre of festivities – clogging our oceans and killing our marine wildlife.  

But there is a way to be swept away by all the pretty lights and be environmentally friendly at the same time.

Here are some essential Christmas items that you can swap for sustainable and plastic free options! It’s time to have a truly green Christmas.

Decking the halls sustainably

Sustainable Christmas decorations flat lay
© WWF-Aus / Stef Mercurio

Having an eco-friendly festive season doesn’t mean you have to skip out on all the fun Christmas decorations! There are many ways you can dress up the Christmas tree and deck the halls sustainably, and still have beautiful lights and ornaments.

Christmas tree 

Lights and decorations

Wrapping gifts thoughtfully

Christmas gifts sustainable wrapping
© WWF-Aus / Stef Mercurio

It can be hard trying to find the perfect gift for a loved one at Christmas … and even harder to find environmentally friendly gifts at that! But sometimes the most thoughtful gifts are the simplest.

Gifts

Cards and wrapping

Setting the Christmas table

Christmas dinner table setting
© WWF-Aus / Stef Mercurio

The Christmas table is where the best memories happen (after all, it’s where the food is). While many people might be tempted by all the Christmas-themed disposable cutlery, it’s much safer, eco-friendlier and classier to choose sustainable.

Cutlery and crockery

Centrepieces and table accents

  • Use native plants and flowers as centrepieces
  • Decorate using flowers like lavender or edible fruit, like cherries

The Christmas feast

Christmas left over jars with beeswax wraps
© WWF-Aus / Stef Mercurio

Christmas is often the time where food waste is multiplied! While we might all love a good and hearty feast, it’s important that we don’t end up with leftovers that’ll soon become wasted.

Christmas meals

Packaging, storage and leftovers

  • Skip the plastic packaging and plastic shopping bags! Bring your own reusable bags instead
  • Buy bread from your local baker and carry it in a reusable bread bag
  • Use bee wrap instead of plastic or aluminium wrap
  • Donate your leftovers to organisations like Foodbank, OzHarvest and SecondBite

Making even a small change to your usual holiday traditions can make a big difference in the long run for the future of our planet.

What plastic free, sustainable swap will you make this Christmas?

Feeling the spirit of the season of giving? 

Still looking for the perfect gift? Check out this list of our favourite ethical and eco-friendly gifts to give your loved ones this festive season!