Christmas always brings abundance; more food, more packaging, more decorations and more deliveries. While the festive season is about coming together and enjoying a well-earned treat, it’s also one of the biggest times of year for household waste. With a little planning, it’s possible to enjoy Christmas fully while keeping waste to a minimum.
An environmental and social challenge
The festive season is a time of abundance, but that abundance brings a significant challenge; waste. While food waste is often the most visible issue at Christmas, it’s far from the only one. Unwanted gifts, excess packaging, unrecyclable cards and seasonal throwaways all contribute to increased pressure on waste services and landfill capacity.
Alongside the environmental impact, there is also a growing social dimension. With many households across the UK continuing to experience financial strain, wasting food at a time when others are struggling to afford essentials has become an uncomfortable reality. Reducing waste at Christmas isn’t about dampening celebrations; it’s about being more mindful with what we buy, use and throw away.
Don’t fall for discounts
Festive offers and bulk-buy deals can be tempting, but they don’t always represent good value if food ends up going to waste. Before picking up a ‘2 for 1’ or multi-buy offer, pause to consider whether you’ll realistically use it. If it’s likely to be forgotten at the back of the fridge or cupboard, the saving may not be worth the waste.
Maximise your storage space
Limited fridge and freezer space can quickly lead to food being stored unsafely or thrown away. Planning ahead makes a real difference. Clear out your fridge and freezer before the main Christmas shop, use up items nearing their dates and organise shelves so older food is visible and easy to use. Understanding the difference between ‘use by’ and ‘best before’ dates can also help prevent perfectly good food being discarded unnecessarily.
Don’t overestimate what’s needed
Many hosts worry about not having enough food, but Christmas often results in far more being prepared than is actually needed. Careful meal planning and realistic portion sizes can significantly reduce waste while also cutting costs. Tools such as Love Food Hate Waste’s portion calculator can help you plan accurately without compromising on generosity.
Make the most of leftovers
Cooking extra can make sense if leftovers are used properly. Planning meals around what remains, whether that’s turkey, vegetables or desserts, helps ensure food doesn’t go to waste. From soups and pies to salads and sandwiches, there are plenty of simple ways to turn leftovers into enjoyable meals. Love Food Hate Waste offers a wide range of practical recipe ideas.
Try home composting
Food waste can’t go into household recycling and isn’t suitable for skips, meaning much of it ends up in landfill. Home composting offers a simple alternative for certain food waste, particularly uncooked fruit and vegetable peelings. Composting turns organic waste into nutrient-rich compost for gardens and green spaces. WRAP provides clear guidance for anyone looking to get started.
Support those who are struggling
Reducing household food waste plays a part in a wider collective effort, but supporting those in need can go even further. This Christmas, you may wish to consider helping local organisations that work tirelessly to support vulnerable people in our community.
- Worthing Foodbank, part of the Trussell Trust, supports individuals and families across Worthing and the surrounding area through food provision and practical support.
- FareShare Sussex redistributes surplus food from the food industry to charities and community groups across Sussex and Surrey, helping prevent waste while tackling food insecurity.
To find out more about skip hire in West Sussex, or to learn how our Energy from Waste facility helps recover value from residual waste, contact Rabbit on 01903 762020 or email info@rabbitgroup.co.uk.
