Here are some tips and tricks on how to avoid plastic on special occasions. I have included everything that wouldn't be included in day-to-day activities here.
Gift Giving
I absolutely love gift giving and it is my favourite thing about Christmas, however, it often comes with a lot of waste (read: wrapping paper) which is usually not recyclable and uses up resources. Here are three ways I have started gift wrapping things in order to reduce plastic and waste:
- Using reclaimed paper. Most often than not this comes from my Whogivesacrap toilet rolls as they are individually wrapped in funky recyclable paper but you can also use old magazines, newspapers, kraft brown paper or even your children's old drawings to add a personal touch. Paper wrappings can be kept in place with natural string or paper tape, I personally really like the rustic look of paper and string wrapped gifts.
- Reused jars or containers. This is a great option if gifting something loose, such as coffee, tea, bath salts, home made treats (such as fudge blocks). What I particularly like about this way of presenting a gift is that it reuses something and adds a personality to it by packaging the item yourself. I often stick a label on the jar to explain what the contents are and tie a ribbon or scrap fabric on the lid to dress it up a little.
- Reused fabric. The tradition of wrapping gifts in reusable fabric comes from ancient Japan. It is a great way to have beautiful gift wraps that you can reuse over and over again without creating unnecessary waste. These could even be made from reclaimed fabrics from old clothes or bed sheets. We tend to use these for gifts within the family or close friends so we can ask for the fabric back to use it again. We also use colourful bags for this purpose.
Decorations
When we think about party decorations we often reach for disposable balloons and banners but there are lots of more durable and sustainable options. Here are some photos of bunting I created using 2 old t-shirts and one pillow case. All I had to buy was the ribbon to sew them onto, which I got loose at a fabric shop. I really enjoyed making this bunting because it was a good way to use up old fabric and I can reuse it over and over again. I made this bunting in occasion of my first 'plastic free' party, which I will write about soon.
If you're not so keen on using a sewing machine, you could even make bunting from cut up magazines or newspaper stapled onto string for a more rustic look.
Partyware
Disposable plates, cutlery and straws are particularly problematic as they are only used once and immediately discarded. They are designed to only be used once but constructed with an indestructible material which will never biodegrade in our lifetime. This seems very illogical so I have done some research on the alternatives available.
If your party involves mainly adults and is of limited size, it may be reasonable to use your normal crockery and cutlery and wash it up afterwards. When the parties involve lots of children or are very big and the washing up would become cumbersome is when we look at disposable alternatives. These do not need to be made of plastic. There are are lots of fully biodegradable options out there, as well as reusable options that are safer for children to use unsupervised. A useful website I found is Little Cherry where you can find all sorts of disposable party ware that is sustainable. From bamboo, to palm leaf or sugar cane, there are many options to choose from as well as different pack sizes.
Reusable straws are available in metal or glass. These can be washed and reused and also look much nicer than plastic ones.
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