Vicki Howard Composting HUB
Brisbane residents are being reminded to stay sustainable this holiday season to ensure our city stays clean and green as the festive cheer is dialled up.
Civic Cabinet Chair for City Standard Kim Marx said residents already did a great job at recycling and reducing waste, but it was important to keep up good habits over the holidays.
“There are many easy things we can do to make all our Christmas celebrations more sustainable while still having a good time,” Cr Marx said.
“Studies show that nationally our rubbish volume increases by around 30 per cent at Christmas, though it’s pleasing to note that in Brisbane, our increase is about 8 per cent during December.
“We can all play a part in celebrating sustainability. Just a few small changes can make a big difference.
“There are some simple cleaner, greener changes everyone can easily do like gathering the wrapping paper to put into the recycling bin and considering using alternative wrapping like making your own.”
Cr Marx said being sustainable and environmentally conscious during the festive season didn’t mean going without.
“We all know how easy it can be to get swept up in the season but staying aware and sustainably minded simply requires a little extra planning and creativity,” she said.
“Fight festive food waste by asking guests to bring their own container so you can share leftovers with everyone. Or check out our leftover recipes in our Love Food Hate Waste program.
“Another effortless way to reduce the amount of food going into your bins on 26 December is to plan your Christmas Day menu and shop from a pre-prepared shopping list.
“Not only will you save money, but you’ll also reduce the stress of hosting and make your trip to the supermarket quicker.”
Council’s bin collections and other waste services will run over the Christmas and New Year period.
“Bins will be serviced as normal during the festive seasons and our resource recovery centres at Nudgee, Ferny Grove, Willawong and Chandler will also remain open from 6.30am to 5.45pm every day, excluding Christmas Day,” Cr Davis said.
“Council’s Treasure Troves at Geebung and Acacia Ridge will be open every weekend from 8.00am to 4.00pm each day, excluding Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.
“And if you’re disposing of batteries, please collect them and take them to a battery recycling outlet including Council’s resource recovery centres or retailers like Officeworks.”
For more tips on creating a clean and green Brisbane all year round, visit www.brisbane.qld.gov.au and select the ‘Clean and Green’ tab or call Council on 07 3403 8888.
10 top Tips for a more sustainable Christmas
- Wrap green and use fabric or brown paper wrapping that can be reused and recycled. Check out these tips for making your own wrapping paper or furoshiki gift wrapping using thrifted scarves.
- If you can’t recycle, reusing wrapping, ribbons and bows for future gift wrapping is the next best thing. Keep old Christmas cards to make one-of-a-kind gift cards next year.
- If you’ve still got some last-minute gift shopping to do, make the more sustainable choice and gift experiences instead of things. Book tickets for the family to the Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium or an annual membership to Museum of Brisbane.
- Consider a homemade Christmas present – for the food-lover in your family make a jar of flavoured salt to add to their favourite dish, visit Reverse Garbage for materials to make the kids a chalkboard town, or gift potted herbs.
- And for any leftovers, consider storing them in glass containers and avoid using cling film.
- Ask guests to BYO containers and share any leftovers with guests to take home. This means you’re left with less to try and eat before it’s passed its use by date.
- Think twice before shopping for something new to wear on Christmas Day and shop your wardrobe instead.
- For Christmas lights around the house or your tree, look for LED lights which use around 80-90 percent less energy. And be sure to turn lights off when you’re not at home or going to bed each night.
- Write a meal plan for your Christmas feast. Not only will it save you time and money only buying the items on your shopping list, but you’ll also be helping to create a festive meal without food waste!
- If you are catering for a larger lunch or dinner crowd at your place, skip the plastic plates and opt for extra plates, glassware and cutlery from your local op shop or Brisbane City Council Treasure Trove. Chances are it’ll cost you around the same and you can simply donate them again.