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Celebrating Christmas and New Year in a sustainable way is important for families, friends, and workplaces. It helps protect the planet, saves money, and brings people closer together. Being sustainable does not mean giving up fun or tradition. It simply means making kinder choices that help the community around us. These choices can be easy to understand and simple for everyone to follow, including children and teens.

During Christmas and New Year, we often buy a lot of things we do not need. We use extra electricity, create more waste, and sometimes forget about the true meaning of the season.

By celebrating more sustainably, families and workplaces can enjoy the holidays while caring for the environment. One way to do this is by thinking before buying. Instead of choosing many gifts, people can give one special present, something useful, homemade, or second-hand but still in great condition. This reduces waste and helps people appreciate gifts more.

Celebrations

Workplaces can also make small but meaningful changes. Instead of buying lots of single-use decorations, they can reuse decorations each year or make their own from paper, fabric, or natural materials. A simple wreath, reusable baubles, or homemade paper stars can brighten any room. These decorations can be fun to make together, which creates teamwork and joy.

Food waste is another big problem at Christmas and New Year. We often buy and prepare more food than needed. To celebrate more sustainably, we all can plan meals carefully, cook only what will be eaten, and save leftovers for the next day. Sharing food with neighbors or coworkers is another lovely idea. It spreads kindness and avoids waste.

Another sustainable idea is to spend time together instead of buying lots of new things. Families can play games, bake treats, go for walks, or watch movies. Workplaces can organise team activities like charity drives, lunchtime gatherings, or simple card exchanges. These moments create happy memories without harming the environment.

Energy and Recycling

Energy use also increases during the holidays, especially with lights. Families and workplaces can still enjoy beautiful lights but choose energy-saving options. Turning lights off at night or when nobody is around helps save electricity. These small acts protect the planet and lower bills too.

Recycling is also very important. Instead of throwing things away, families and workplaces can sort items properly. Paper, cardboard, and some plastics can go into recycling bins. Old electronics, such as broken Christmas lights, toys, or small appliances, should be brought to a safe recycling centre. This helps keep harmful materials out of nature and allows valuable parts to be reused.

16 Actions to Help!

Celebrating sustainably also teaches children, teens, and adults to care for the planet. It shows that even small actions—like reusing bags, choosing eco-friendly wrapping, or walking instead of driving—can make a big difference. It helps everyone understand that Christmas and New Year are about kindness, sharing, and respect for the world.

• Use reusable or homemade decorations.
• Choose a real, locally sourced Christmas tree.
• Gift experiences or handmade items.
• Support your local Irish producers and shops.
• Wrap gifts with reusable fabric or recycled paper.
• Cook with seasonal Irish ingredients.
• Reduce food waste by planning portions.
• Reuse last year’s gift bags and boxes.
• Pass on toys or clothes in good condition.
• Walk to local events instead of driving.
• Make your own Christmas cards.
• Share surplus food with neighbours.
• Choose energy-efficient lights and switch them off at night.
• Borrow or swap items instead of buying new.
• Focus on time together rather than excess gifts.
• Learn more about the Sustainable Development Goals

In the end, a sustainable Christmas and New Year is still full of warmth, fun, and joy. It brings people together, reduces stress, saves money, and protects the planet for future generations. It is a simple, thoughtful way to celebrate the season.

About Recycle IT

Recycle IT an award-winning community recycler wishes to build on Ireland’s recycling success story and helped increase the 10 kg of waste electronic and electrical equipment recycled per person, per year. We are inviting resident associations and community groups including tidy towns to speak with us about arranging a FREE collection in your area over the coming months.

Our recycling service is provided FREE to resident associations and communities in South Dublin, Dublin City and Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown with surrounding areas in Meath, Wicklow and Kildare also serviced so please give us a call to learn more and arrange a residents collection for your area.

Please call us on 01 4578321 or email info@recycleit.ie.