Don't waste this festive season
Published 10 December 2025
The festive season is a time for joy – but it often comes with extra waste. From food scraps to unwanted gifts, the impact adds up. Reducing waste isn’t just good for the planet – it saves you money too! Here are some easy tips to keep your celebrations sustainable.
Decorating and entertaining
- Reuse your tree. If you already have a plastic tree, keep using it – it’s the most sustainable choice.
- Prefer a living tree? Native trees like the Albany Woolly Bush or Wollemi Pine make great potted Christmas plants. Or decorate a plant you already own. Glam up your monstera with some lights and a bauble or two.
- Make your own garland or wreath. Try dried orange slices, cinnamon sticks and herbs for decorations that will smell amazing.
- Choose reusable dinnerware. Hosting a big party? Op shops have great vintage plates. And you can even rent plates and cutlery from the Elwood Kitchen Library.
Gifting
- Gift experiences: Think dinners, massages, dance classes or pottery – to name a few.
- Shop second-hand: In Port Phillip, we have a lot of options when it comes to second hand shopping. For a list of our ten must-visit spots, see our guide to vintage and thrift shops.
- Get cooking! Why not make something yourself? Think biscuits and quick pickles.
- Buy local – grab a hamper of goodies from one of our many markets. See our guide to the best markets in St Kilda and Southside.
- Avoid cellophane and foils when wrapping your presents. These cannot be recycled in your mixed recycling bin. Instead, reuse old paper, fabric, and boxes.
- Re-gift or donate the gifts that you don’t want.
Feasting
- Plan and cater the right amount of food for your guests.
- Use up your leftovers. Gift your guests leftover ham for sandwiches the next day. Visit OzHarvest for some helpful tips and use-it-up recipes.
- Use your FOGO bin or a communal FOGO hub to dispose of your unavoidable food waste like fruit peels, onion skins and bones.
- Take your eligible drink containers to your local Container Deposit Scheme refund point. Collect or donate the 10c you collect for every bottle.
Once the party is over, take your eligible containers to CDS Vic return points in our City. For locations visit: Victoria‘s Container Deposit Scheme | Find Locations