The Ultimate Guide to a Zero Waste Christmas

Christmas is a time to celebrate the year that's been. I know we usually leave our future goals until January, but this year I've been so excited to gradually transition the house towards a more mindful and eco-friendly environment. Looking after our planet shouldn't have to wait until goal-setting season. Let's start looking after our planet this year, this Christmas, with this post. Click Read More to learn some tricks to help you transition your household too!

I know the thought of going zero waste can seem daunting. All of a sudden you're a lot more aware of every piece of trash that goes in the bin, and suddenly taking out the trash on a rubbish day seems like a much more guilt-triggering experience. However making the conscious decision to look after our planet and make more mindful consumption decisions should be an encouraging and joyful journey of figuring out where you biggest issues lie and enjoying the creative experience of finding a new, sustainable solution. 

If this is a journey you've been considering yet haven't taken the first step in, let this be your invitation. Trust me, you're not alone in being overwhelmed either by the workload of having to figure out how to find eco-friendly alternatives for your everyday household products. I too have become inspired and then quickly overwhelmed by the thought of it all. However, in the spirit of Christmas, I wish to use this celebratory time to really try and give back and be grateful for the environment I get to enjoy not only in our gorgeous kiwi summer, but all year round. To give you a hand with you first step towards a more mindful Christmas, I've found 5 fantastic websites which show you some amazing and innovative products which you may be able to introduce to your kitchen or home this season. From baking paper alternatives to gorgeous handmade natural soaps for the guests, be prepared to find some serious gift ideas and inspiration for the home to reignite your desire to make the first step in the right direction for a more sustainable home. 

5 WEBSITES FOR A ZERO WASTE CHRISTMAS

1. The Well Store

The Well Store has an entire section on their website called ‘Eco Home’. Here, you’ll find everything from spice blends, reusable coffee pods to stainless steel straws. Our favourite product are the Agreena 3 in 1 Eco Wraps! This product will be a lifesaver during the Christmas feast cook up. This 3 in 1 product allows you to wrap leftovers up (much like a beeswax wrap), seal plates or bowls, and even bake in the oven without the use of baking paper! You’ll never have to buy expensive refills of glad wrap, baking paper or aluminium foil again with this solution in your pantry! They can be used over and over again (so will certainly last through your Christmas season demands) and only require a wash with warm soapy water to clean.  

​This website also features plenty of other eco-friendly home solutions including: biodegradable dishcloths, cleaning products and produce bags!​

Be sure to check out The Well Store online today, as they are currently running a '12 Days of Gifting Special' so you can grab some extra savings!

2. LilyBee Wrap

We must confess, this has to be the best and most reliable beeswax wrap out there at the moment. With the best sticky grip we’ve found so far, LilyBee Wraps are the perfect way to store and save your favourite Christmas feast leftovers for later. Trust me, when you’re sneaking into the pantry for the leftover Christmas ham you’ll be grateful it’s kept wrapped up safe in secure in LilyBee. This is a family owned business operated out of Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand - and not much can beat a local product.

You can purchase these wraps in a variety of sizes and qualities according to your needs, plus the cotton fabric is nothing short of absolutely cute! 

The website also has “Make your Own Wrap” beeswax blocks which are perfect if you’re in the mood for a DIY, and their subscription program tops you up with brand new LilyBee wraps every few months to keep you going (this is also a little easier on your wallet too).

These double as perfect gifts or stocking fillers for the family too!

3. Good For
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I was beyond excited when I stubbled across this amazing website. Good For is a new and creative way to allow you to shop your groceries zero-waste style from wherever you live. If you’ve not lucky enough to live close to a local zero-waste grocer, Good For can give you a helping hand by delivering your groceries straight to your doorstep. All orders are packed in brown paper bags, sealed with paper tape. 

They offer everything but liquids online, however their stores throughout Auckland are fully stocked with the full range. You can find everything to baking essentials, herbs & spices to seeds and snacks! 

Ordering is simple: fill your cart (and enjoy free shipping with any $100 spend) and place your order. Your goods will be hand-packaged sustainably and delivered to you within 24 hours in an environmentally friendly box! Easy. This is perfect for when you want to grab all of your Christmas groceries but want to avoid the unnecessary waste and supermarket mayhem! Just sit back, in ya swimsuit and order it straight from the pool side.

4. The Natural Co.
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This is the perfect store of gifts and homewares for throughout the rest of the home. With zero waste in mind, The Natural Co. will keep you covered in every room of the house from wooden toothbrushes to natural aftersun balm. They also have a stunning range of natural beeswax candles - perfect for a Christmas Day centrepiece and gorgeous natural soaps for all the guest bathrooms. Wipe the summer sweat, sunscreen and supper off your face at the end of the day with their organic cotton face pads too (see, I told you they thought of everything!)

5. All Natural Mums

​This is a stunning website which we were just introduced to by one of our closest friends! Our favourite product on this site is their Christmas Gift Bags! These drawstring sacks are the perfect zero waste alternative to all that wrapping paper and ribbon which you have difficulty ripping and then throwing away. They come in packs of 3 with gorgeous Christmas fabric designs and each pack has a little, medium and large sized bag. These would be the perfect way to save time wrapping every gift under the tree, instead just have a bag per person and take turns taking a gift out of your sack when Christmas Day arrives!

These can also be reused every year. Their website also has other designs which would be perfect for easter, birthday gifts or every to help you organise your clothes when packing your suitcase for your summer travels! 

This website is home to so many other gorgeous gift ideas for our friends who are really mindful about their footprint and who are looking to produce less waste this Christmas season. You’re sure to find plenty of solutions which they will highly appreciate!
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BONUS! The Rubbish Talk
This website is absolute gold for any eco-friendly family or New Zealand traveller. You are able to easily select the area in which you live and this fantastic website will provide you with an ultimate guide to shops, stores, and brands throughout that area that offer zero waste or sustainable solutions to all of your needs. I just had to throw this is as it is a goldmine of amazing information - who knew the Waipa area had so many mindful producers!

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It's amazing to think that with a few investments into eco-friendly products for the home and as gifts for under the tree we can transform our annual Christmas celebrations into something so much more. How lovely would it be to sit down at the Christmas table and know that you've done your part in reducing the negative impact we have on our own planet by making a few simple changes. If anything, it's amazing how one person's conscious decision to consume more sustainably can inspire so many others to follow suit. Who knows how many friends and family members you'll inspire to join you on your journey to zero waste just by the difference you can make this season.

We hope you are inspired to join us. 

​From our home to yours,