How to dispose of Christmas waste responsibly

REDUCE WASTE, SUSTAINABLE LIVING

REduce waste

The festive season is a time for family, friends and celebration, but it can also create a lot of waste. From Christmas trees and decorations to wrapping paper and dinner leftovers, knowing how to dispose of these items responsibly helps reduce waste going to.

This guide will help you sort through common festive items and ensure they end up in the right bin or at the right recycling location. For a full list of what goes in your bin, visit the Brisbane City Council, What Goes in My Bin webpage.

Christmas Trees

Real Christmas Tree

Break down your tree into small pieces and place in your green waste bin or take to your local Resource Recovery Centre.

Fake Christmas Tree

Good condition: Donate to charity or a reuse centre.

Poor condition: Dispose at your local Resource Recovery Centre.

E-Waste

Fairy Lights

Still working: Donate to charity or reuse centre.

Broken or poor quality: Do NOT put in kerbside bins. Take to an e-waste recycling location such as a Resource Recovery Centre.

Batteries

Never put batteries in kerbside bins, they can cause fires in collection trucks. Drop them off at a Resource Recovery Centre or find a B-cycle drop-off point near you.

Decorations

Good condition: Donate or reuse.

Broken or poor quality: Place in your recycling bin if made from recyclable material otherwise, dispose in your general waste bin.

Christmas Crackers

Recycle if made from cardboard or paper; otherwise, dispose in your general waste bin.

Candles

Dispose of wax candles in your general waste bin, electric candles will need to be taken to an e-waste recycling location such as a Resource Recovery Centre.

Dinner Table Waste

Food Waste

Compost if possible, otherwise dispose in your general waste bin. If you don’t have a composting system at home receive up to $100 back with Brisbane City Council’s Compost Rebate Program.

Aluminum Trays

Place trays in your recycling bin, ensure all food is removed first.

Alfoil, Cling Film and Baking

Alfoil: Scrunch into a ball and place in your recycling bin.

Cling wrap and baking paper: Dispose in your general waste bin.

Drink Containers

Return eligible cans and bottles for a 10c refund at a Container Refund Point or place in your recycling bin.

Tip: Keep caps and lids on bottles and containers when placing in the recycling bin.

Paper Plates

Dispose in your recycling bin and ensure food is removed first.

Cutlery and Utensils

Dispose plastic and bamboo in your general waste bin.

Tip: Switch to reusable cutlery for a more sustainable option.

Paper Napkins

Compost at home, otherwise dispose in your general waste bin.

If you don’t have a composting system at home receive up to $100 back with Brisbane City Council’s Compost Rebate Program.

Wrapping and Packaging

Shiny wrapping paper and cellophane

Dispose in your general waste bin.

Plain paper or Kraft wrapping paper

Place in your recycling bin.

Bubble Wrap

Dispose in your general waste bin (reuse if intact).

Ribbon and bows

Reuse if possible, otherwise dispose in your general waste bin.

Sticky Tape

Dispose in your general waste bin.

Cards

Place in your recycling bin.

Top tips for a sustainable Christmas Day

A little planning goes a long way in making your celebrations more sustainable. Let your guests know in the invite that you’re aiming for a more sustainable celebration and share a few helpful, supportive tips so everyone can join in.

By donating items in good condition, recycling where possible, and using alternatives to single-use products, you can enjoy the holidays while caring for the planet. Sustainable living works best when it’s sustainable for you, so do what you can and be proud of every action you take!

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The author

Amy Goodwin-Webster

Amy delivers sustainability programs and trainings at Brisbane Sustainability Agency and is passionate about supporting people to live mindfully of the environment and changing climate.

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