East Suffolk Council

‘Tis the season to reduce, reuse and recycle

The festive season is a time of joy, celebration and gathering with loved ones to share delicious food and exchange gifts. However, it is also a time when we produce a lot of waste.

This year, we encourage you to celebrate a circular Christmas! So, what does that mean? The circular economy is all about reducing waste, keeping products in use for longer and promoting sustainability. By reducing, reusing and recycling, we can enjoy the festive spirit while being kinder to the planet – and it’s more budget-friendly too!

Let make this Christmas a time of giving – not just to each other, but to the planet as well.

Here’s some practical tips to help you go circular this Christmas – and beyond:

Regift unwanted items

Do you have unwanted items or gifts gathering dust? Give them a new lease of life by regifting them to someone who will truly appreciate them! Whether it’s a book, home décor or even a vintage piece, regifting is a budget-friendly and thoughtful way to reduce waste while making someone else’s Christmas. Regifting can also include homemade crafts or upcycled items. Need some craft inspiration? Check out these ideas.

Gift experiences, not things

Instead of physical gifts, consider giving experiences! They create long lasting memories without the environmental impact. From spa days to theatre tickets, experience gifts are a fantastic way to support local businesses while reducing waste.

Local tip: East Suffolk is full of local experiences you can gift! How about a vineyard tour, a fun baking class or a cosy meal in a local restaurant? Find more inspiration with The Suffolk Coast.

Buy pre-loved

One of the best ways to support the circular economy is by buying pre-loved gifts. Charity shops, antique stores, and local markets often have budget-friendly, unique and sustainable options that give pre-loved items a new lease of life.

Local tip: East Suffolk has many fantastic charity shops for you to explore. Find your nearest ones. And don’t forget to check out local car boot sales, where you can find unique treasures and pre-loved gifts at great prices.  

Shop local

Whether searching for the perfect gift or stocking up on festive treats, shopping locally helps reduce the carbon footprint of your purchases. By choosing to shop local, you’re not only making a more sustainable choice but also supporting your local community.

Local tip: Small businesses across East Suffolk offer a range of delicious, locally made foods and beautiful handcrafted gifts – from artisanal treats to unique jewellery. Find more information about shopping in East Suffolk. Also, don’t miss the markets taking place across East Suffolk every week. Here you can find local food and drink, such as jams, honey, vegetables, bread, cheeses and ales.

Upcycle decorations

Instead of buying new Christmas decorations, why not get creative with what you already have? By upcycling, you can transform old or unwanted items into beautiful new pieces, such as garlands made from scrap fabric or festive candle holders made from empty glass jars. Here’s some great ideas.

Local tip: East Suffolk has several local repair cafes and groups, so if you need something fixed but aren’t sure how to do it, this could be your answer! Find your nearest one.

Eco-friendly Christmas cards

Choosing eco-friendly Christmas cards is a great way to spread festive cheer while being kind to the planet. Look for cards made from recycled materials or sustainable paper, or even plantable ones that grow into beautiful flowers or herbs.

Personalised e-cards are another great option. Not only do they save paper, but they can also be personalised with photos and messages, and no stamps are needed!

Feeling crafty? Make your own handmade cards using materials you already have or upcycle old cards for something truly special.

Local tip: When getting rid of old Christmas cards, remember to recycle where possible. Cards without glitter or foil can be recycled in your blue bin at home.

Wrap sustainably

Many wrapping papers aren’t recyclable due to glitter or foil. This year, try using reusable or recycled materials, such as old newspapers, fabric (think scarves or tea towels), or brown paper tied with twine for beautiful, eco-friendly alternatives.

Here’s some ideas to make your gifts stand out while supporting sustainability.

Local tip: If you choose to buy wrapping paper, opt for eco-friendly options that can be recycled in your blue bin at home (avoid glitter or foil). If in doubt, do the scrunch test - if it scrunches and doesn’t spring back, you can recycle it!

Recycle festive waste

Recycling is essential, but it is important to do it right. Most wrapper paper is recyclable, expect for glitter or foil-effect papers. You can also recycle cardboard packaging and cards without glitter or foil in your blue bin at home, as well as hard plastic, aluminium foil, newspaper, magazines, cans and plastic bottles.

Local Tip: Find out what can and cannot be recycled in your blue bin at home. There’s also plenty of recycling options for items like glass and textiles.

Recycle real Christmas trees

If you’ve bought a real Christmas tree, remember to recycle it after the festivities for a greener start to the new year.

You can recycle your tree by placing it in your garden waste bin, composting it, or dropping it off at your nearest recycling centre.

You can also support organisations, such as EACH and Just Giving, that collect real Christmas trees to collect money for charity.

If you bought a potted tree, be sure to plant it in your garden so you can enjoy it for years to come.

Local Tip: Recycling your Christmas tree in your garden waste bin at home is easy—just cut it down to fit, ensuring the trunk and branches are no wider than 6 cm. Not signed up for the garden waste collection scheme yet? You can get 26 collections every year for just £52.50. Sign up now.

Reduce food waste

The festive season often leads to excess food waste, but there are some simple steps we can all take to reduce this waste:

- Plan your meals carefully to avoid overbuying.

- Stick to a shopping list and check what you already have at home before heading out.

- Turn leftovers into tasty meals such as soups, stir-fries or sandwiches.

- Store extra food in airtight containers and freeze anything you can’t eat.

- Got too much extra food? Share it with friends, family or local charities.

- And remember, scraps can be turned into garden gold through home composting.

Local tip: Turn your Christmas leftovers into magic with these delicious recipes from Food Savvy Suffolk.

And finally, help others by donating things you don’t need

If you have items around the home that you no longer want or need, such as toys, clothes or home décor, why not donate them? They could be the perfect gift for someone you’ve never met! By donating unwanted items in good condition, you’re helping someone else enjoy their own circular Christmas and keeping the cycle going.

Local tip: Find your nearest charity shop.