Top tips to reduce plastic during the festive holidays

I'm Lorraine Allman, founder of Party Without Plastic®, a small business marketplace of plastic-free party essentials. I do what I can to minimise plastic waste in my household, but after learning how much plastic waste is thrown away every year following parties and festive holidays, I wanted to inspire and support people to make easy, affordable eco-friendly choices with their party planning, without compromising on fun! 

If you’d like to try to reduce single-use plastic waste during the festive season and beyond here are my top tips for alternatives that not only look great, but will add a personal touch, and be kind to your wallet.

Dec the halls

It’s always exciting to transform our homes into a winter wonderland, but there are ways to do this plastic-free. Choosing reusable fabric decorations or making your own from natural materials is a great way to save money and help the planet. Try spooky decorations from recycled paper, cotton fabrics, leaves, and pumpkins. Or have a go at making your own Christmas wreath using fir tree clippings, moss, holly, and ivy.  As long as they’re not covered in glitter, all of these can be put out for composting, going back to nature and leaving nothing behind. 

Top tip: Rather than sprinkling glitter (also plastic) on your wreath, weave LED lights in them to create a warm, inviting atmosphere.

Fancy dress

Whilst buying a brand-new Halloween, Elf, or other fancy-dress outfit may seem quick and convenient, the environmental impact from these is pretty scary. The majority are made from synthetic fabrics such as polyester, acrylic, or nylon – basically plastic, and can’t be recycled. You could have a go at making your own outfits by using old clothing or fabric scraps, or if that’s not your thing, try keeping costumes out of general rubbish by checking out local charity shops or online marketplaces for preloved outfits.

Top tip: If you are buying outfits, check the label for the OEKO-TEX® (no harmful substances) or GOTS symbols (sustainable and ethical products).

Let the table do the talking

When you’ve spent time and money on delicious food for a celebration, it’s worth thinking about how it looks on the table. Try to avoid single-use paper plates if possible as many of them still have a hidden plastic lining. Good alternatives which look great include palm leaf plates and bowls which biodegrade naturally in home compost, leaving nothing behind. You could encourage visitors to bring their own plates or dishes (handy for them to take leftovers home too!), or if you really want to wow guests, try an edible tableware range made from wheat bran where they can actually eat the plates, bowls, and cutlery as part of the meal – a new approach to zero waste!

When it comes to food wrapping, avoid plastic cling-film. Not only does it get tangled up, but it’s also not recyclable. A cost-effective alternative are beeswax wraps– they’re easier to put on, far more durable and in the long-term more cost-effective with each wrap lasting up to a year (imagine how many rolls of cling film that will save). They’re useful for storing leftovers too such as chunks of cheese, cut fruit and veg, or sandwiches, and come in a wide range of designs.

Top tip: If you’re catering for big numbers, consider hiring reusable partyware such as plates, cups and bowls from the Party Kit Network – there are lots available across Wales.

Wrapping paper

Most paper gift wrap can be recycled as long as it doesn’t contain plastics like glitter or is metallic (shiny). Great alternatives to paper wrap include pages from a favourite comic, a map representing a region that is special to the person receiving the gift, or try furoshiki – a Japanese inspired form of gift wrap using fabrics (ideally cotton-based). Making wrapping part of the gift creates a really personal touch, and of course with fabrics, can be reused again by the receiver.

Top tip: Check if your wrapping paper is recyclable by scrunching it up into a ball. If it stays that way, then as long as it doesn’t have glitter on it, it should be put in the recycling bin.

Let's talk balloons

Who doesn’t love balloons at parties, but sadly even ‘natural latex’ ones are not all that they seem. Not only are they a danger to wildlife and our oceans once dumped in landfill, but by the time they have gone through the manufacturing process with added chemicals including plasticisers, research shows they are no longer fully biodegradable, making them a long-term threat to our ecosystem. Foil balloons are even worse and will never biodegrade. So what’s the alternative? Try locally sourced flowers and foliage to create displays such as arches, garlands, and centrepieces, or gather glass jars and create your own lanterns or luminaries by adding fairy lights for a warm glow to your party space. Reusable decorations from recycled paper or organic cotton cloth garlands reduce waste and save money, and pinwheels or windsocks are a fun, colourful alternative.

Let's play
It’s always a challenge trying to source affordable party bag items and stocking fillers for children, but there are lots of plastic-free, budget-friendly options available such as seed packets, rainbow pencils, and paper bookmarks, all of which will be useful and last long after the festivities have ended. Adding in homemade biscuits or cake is always popular, or try introducing book swapping where at the end of the party children choose a book to take home.

Top tip: Combining a party activity with a takeaway gift is fun using kits such as making seedballs (a lovely way to remember the party when seedlings turn into flowers later) or reusable party crowns to take home.

Choosing just one of the alternatives suggested here will start you on your journey to a more sustainable lifestyle, or if you’ve already begun, hopefully I’ve given you more ideas to try out. Taking a moment to think before making our next purchase of decorations, fancy dress, wrapping paper or tableware really could make a difference not just to the planet by choosing plastic-free, but also our wallets.

Happy plastic-free festivities!