The holiday season is a time of joy, giving, and indulgence, but it’s also one of the most wasteful times of the year. For businesses, it presents both challenges and opportunities to manage waste responsibly while promoting sustainability.

Let’s dive into some fascinating facts about festive season waste and explore actionable tips for your business to make a positive impact this Christmas.

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Festive Facts About Waste

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• Australians Generate More Waste During Christmas: Over 30% more waste is generated during the festive season in Australia. This includes an estimated 150,000 kilometres of wrapping paper, enough to circle the globe almost four times!

• Food Waste Skyrockets: Approximately 25% of food purchased during Christmas ends up in the bin, translating to millions of dollars in unnecessary waste and a significant environmental burden.

• Packaging Waste is a Major Contributor: With a surge in online shopping, packaging waste, especially cardboard and plastic, significantly increases. This presents a challenge for recycling facilities already working at capacity.

• E-Waste Grows with New Gadgets: The holiday season sees a spike in e-waste as old electronics are discarded to make way for new devices. Globally, e-waste is one of the fastest growing waste streams.