Community & Business
20 November, 2022
Have a waste-less Christmas
TIS the season for giving, whether it be hearty meals or the perfect gifts, and Christmas lovers are being encouraged to be mindful when it comes to waste.
Every year, the amount of food and waste going into landfill increases significantly around the holiday season.
This year, think wisely about how much you are throwing into landfill and follow these holly jolly tips on how to be more sustainable this Christmas...
1. Christmas dinner leftovers
Having a big feast with the family is one of the best things to do over the holiday period, but every year up to 50 per cent of leftover food goes to waste.
The best thing to do is plan ahead and make a list of all the things you will need for your meal.
Overbuying will lead to unnecessary amounts of food that will just end up in the trash can the next morning.
If you do have leftovers, turn it into boxing day lunch, or maybe even breakfast the next morning.
Christmas ham can be turned into a soup, a sandwich or something to have next to some eggs.
2. Wrapping paper
This year, reduce, reuse, recycle! It’s time to get creative when it comes to wrapping your gifts by reusing old drawings, wrapping paper and even newspapers like this one.
Every year, Australians use over 150,000kms of wrapping paper that ends up going straight into the garbage bag.
Your kids’ old drawings is a great wrapping paper idea, giving each present a personal touch whilst reusing paper.
Old tea towels and bits of fabric are also a great alternative to wrapping paper and can reused in the kitchen, bathroom or bedroom.
A tote bag to put your presents in means the recipient gets two gifts in one go!
Instead of using plastic pom poms and ribbons that don’t decompose, try using dried flowers and dried citrus.
These are all the hype these days and will give your present a sweet and trendy look whilst reducing waste!
3. Wish lists
There is nothing worse than receiving a gift you don’t like, won’t use or already have. Hundreds of gifts unfortunately get thrown away because of this.
Encourage your friends and family to make a Christmas Wish List this year with specific items they want or need.
Gift cards are also a safe option for gifting and can come in handy for boxing day sales the next day.
4. Christmas trees and decorations
This year, consider switching to a plastic free Christmas tree to reduce the amount of plastic that goes into landfill.
There is no doubt that trees and decoration will go into landfill after it meets its used by date, so switching to a natural alternative will make the earth happy during the festive season.
A fresh real tree will last for weeks in your home and once it’s time is up can decompose itself without hurting the environment.
Wooden ornaments, dried flowers and citrus are also great alternatives to plastic baubles and give your tree a unique and fun aesthetic.
EXTRA:
QCWA’s recipe of the month
Seasonal Fruit Parfait
Serves: 2
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 15 minutes
Ingredients
250g mascarpone cheese
250g raspberries, frozen
1 cup kiwifruit, fresh berries, mango or any other fruit in in season, roughly chopped
2 tablespoons roasted granola
Method
Chill 2 parfait glasses in the refrigerator.
Cook frozen raspberries in a small saucepan on a gentle simmer for around 15 minutes or until very tender. Puree with a stick blender.
TRANSFER the raspberry puree into a small clean bowl and refrigerate until cool.
Layer fruit, mascarpone and raspberry sauce in chilled glasses up to desired height, keeping each layer as distinct as possible.
TOP each glass with a sprinkle of granola.
SERVE immediately with long spoons or chill until ready to serve.
