Christmas is a wonderful opportunity to spend time with family and friends, but it often includes lavish meals and gifts, with the potential for wasted food, unwanted presents and a great deal of unnecessary packaging.
Here are five festive tips to keep (or get) you on Santa’s nice list:
1. Spread some Christmas cheer
Buddy the elf taught us that “the best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear” and you can do just that with on Thursday 12 December.
Friday 13 December is the final day to contribute to our
Beyond that, our has heaps of festive and holiday activities.
2. Recycle right
We know yellow-lid recycling bins fill up fast over the festive break. That’s why we’re again hosting free recycling drop-off events throughout the region between Christmas and New Years.
Residents can bring excess cardboard, household recycling, and clean and dry soft plastics (ones that that can easily be scrunched into a ball) along free-of-charge.
If you can’t make the drop-off dates, it’s free to bring household recycling and cardboard (excluding soft plastics) to the during opening hours.
3. Adopt, don’t shop
Pets are a long-term commitment – often 10 to 20 years of responsibility! They don’t make great gifts as they require buy-in and consideration by the whole household. That said, pets also bring great joy and companionship.
If you have made the decision to add a furry new addition, it’s always best to consider adopting a dog or cat before considering other options. Not only is it substantially cheaper, but you’ll be providing a home to an animal in need. Best of all, adopting through Council is much simpler as all adoptions come microchipped, lifetime registered, desexed, dewormed, vaccinated and vet checked.
Ready to meet your future pet soulmate? of animals available for adoption.
If you aren’t ready to commit long-term but still love the companionship of a fur friend, why not consider until we can find it’s forever home.
4. Watch your (food) waste
The golden rule of waste is to reduce what you can and responsibly dispose of what you can’t. This applies to food waste too!
At the grocery store, avoid overbuying by taking a list and sticking to it.
For disposal, the festive season is paradise for FOGO, your green-lidded bin, which accepts all food waste and garden waste, including ham bones, seafood and shells, plate scrapings and real Christmas trees.
5. Give a gift for good
If you’re stuck for planet-friendly gift ideas, look in your own backyard by shopping locally. You’ll help keep local jobs, support the local economy and save on emissions associated with transporting goods and produce.
You could start with these , , and stores in the .
You could also give a gift that keeps on giving by shopping at the on Friday 20 December.
