From gift wrapping to excessive consumption, decorations and food – the holidays can be packed with waste.
A sustainable consumerism expert provides their top tips on how to give the gift of sustainability this Christmas.
RMIT Senior Lecturer, Marketing Dr Marian Makkar said that in a survey among consumers in Australia, 55% reported that they viewed sustainability as extremely important (Statista, 2023), a sentiment that was particularly prevalent with Gen Z’s surveyed.
“While they may believe being sustainable is important, it can often be confusing when consumers are inundated with sales – Black Friday, Boxing Day, end of year sales etc,” she said.
“Responsible consumption is goal 12 in the Sustainable Development Goals and calls for a substantial reduction of waste through prevention, reduction, recycling and reuse.”
Dr Marian Makkar said that recent reports in Australia show that we are not on track to reaching this target of reducing our material footprint and suggested the following ideas to be a more sustainable gift giver.
Experiences – they are as valuable for loved ones as products, can often put less of a dent on the earth and the memories can last a lifetime.
Local – knowing where your products are from and supporting your local and indigenous businesses allows you to give back to the community.
Slow fashion (and other products) – understand where you’re buying from (and who they’ve bought from) and look at the durability of the materials to ensure it will be an item they keep and appreciate for a long time.
“It’s really important to slow down at this time of year rather than get caught up in the hustle, bustle and allure of this frenzied holiday where we can get so easily carried away with spending and consuming more than we require,” she said.
Dr Makkar said that slowing down allows us to spend more time with our family and friends and value every moment and gives us time to reflect on our purchases.
“Conscious consumption can also allow us to be more responsible financially,” she said.
Other ways to make an impact and practice conscious consumption during the holidays is by:
Donating unused, nonperishable food to your local food bank.
Making or re-using wrapping paper (or going without).
Buying energy-saving LED holiday lights (and store them for next year).
Getting a chemical-free tree and then recycling that tree.
Staying local when planning a holiday, rather than flying.
Donating time or money towards a good cause.
Avoiding using paper and plastic dinnerware and instead appreciating the time spent cleaning up with loved ones.
Dr Makkar said to give the gift of sustainability this Christmas.
“We all have a role to play in improving and reducing waste this holiday season and sustainably conscious consumerism is a gift that will last a lifetime,” she said.
