Sustainability Report

We’re here with a simple purpose – to protect what we love. Every sustainable change we make today will create a safer future for our children.

CREATE LESS WASTE DURING THE HOLIDAYS
Whether it’s the gift wrap, the food, or the dreaded plastic packaging, there is a lot of unnecessary festive “stuff”. We’ve come up with a few simple ideas to help you leave a lighter footprint these holidays.

1.Tsutsumu wrapping

Tsutsumu is the Japanese practice of wrapping with cloth (Furoshiki). It’s easy, sustainable, elegant and functional. You can use what you have or buy sustainably – vintage scarves (e.g. from Lifeline Northbridge) or some lightweight cotton can be cut into squares and reused, year after year. You can swap wraps with family and friends, so the fabric keeps circulating.

If you prefer paper, use brown packing paper – it’s recyclable because it doesn’t have the plastic coating most wrapping paper does. You can swap plastic sticky tape for washi or brown paper tape, which is usually made from natural materials.

2. Choose linen for tableware and napkins

Paper napkins might seem convenient, but they’re single-use – all that energy, water and transport to make something that you use once and toss into landfill.

Linen, on the other hand, is among the most sustainable fabrics on the planet. Best of all, you can reuse linen all year round – for every party, lunch, and gathering.

3. Shop local

When you shop small, you are going directly to the creative source, supporting individuals and your community, rather than retail giants. Try the Grassroots Eco Store in Castlecrag (within the Glenaeon primary school grounds) or Kirribilli Markets, which is hosting their next market this Saturday 20 December.

4. Source decorations second-hand

Preloved Christmas decorations are easy to find in charity stores like Lifeline Northbridge or Vinnies in Crows Nest. You will get unique pieces with a history, and you’ll support a good cause, rather than retail chains like Kmart.

5. Think ahead to next year

Save what you are given this year for next. Ribbon can be reused over many years; wrapping paper and festive bags can be stored and reused; and cards can be cut into gift tags or made into festive collages on next year’s Christmas cards.