Have yourself a sustainable little Christmas

The holiday season is a perfect opportunity for gift giving and spending time with friends and family. Sometimes though, we can all go a bit overboard. Use our tips below to help you avoid excess and responsibly dispose of any waste.

 

Gifts with a difference

Consider gifting your loved ones an experience, edible or sustainable gift, rather than material products. Gifts such as plants, a homemade hamper of yummy treats or a voucher to do something they love, such as a painting class or dinner at a special restaurant, will show that you have put some thought into your gifts and will help reduce waste.

 

Donating unwanted gifts

If you receive gifts that you don’t have a use for, consider donating them to a charity, such as those below:

• Australian Red Cross Shop
• Big Group Hug
• Brotherhood of St Lawrence Op Shop
• Sacred Heart Mission Op Shop
• Salvation Army
• Save The Children
• St Vincent de Paul Shop
• The Smith Family

 

Make a list and check it twice

Sprawling family feasts are a great way to spend time with loved ones, but it’s easy to end up with too much food. Before hitting the shops, make a list and stick to buying only what you need. If you do have leftovers, offer your guests a take-home pack. Any food that can’t be enjoyed later can be popped into your food and garden waste bin to be made into valuable compost. Find out more at www.whittlesea.vic.gov.au/sustainablechristmas

 

Recycle right this Christmas

The holidays offer a great chance to clear out unwanted items before starting the new year afresh. While many people think that recyclable items only relate to the things you can put into your recycling bin at home, there are many more household items you can recycle.

Below is a handy list of items that you can drop off for free at one of our many recycling stations across the City of Whittlesea:

• X-rays
• Printer cartridges
• Mobile phones and accessories
• Cameras and accessories
• DVDs and CDs
• VHS/Video and audio cassette tapes
• Fluorescent light globes and tubes
• Small e-waste items like iPods and MP3 players

Batteries can be taken to Woolworths, Aldi, Bunnings and Officeworks stores for recycling.

Visit our website to find recycling station locations.