A greener Christmas: How to reduce waste this festive season

Written By Hannah Marshall

A Greener Christmas: How to Reduce Waste This Festive Season

The Rise in Waste Over the Christmas Period

The festive season is known for generosity, celebration and high consumption — but it’s also a peak time for waste production. In the UK, households and businesses generate around 30% more waste during Christmas, most of which ends up in landfill. From excessive packaging and food waste to unwanted gifts and decorations, the impact is significant.

If your business wants to make the holidays more sustainable, the good news is that even small changes in your waste habits can have a big effect. At Cawleys, we help organisations of all sizes prepare for the seasonal surge and manage their waste in an efficient, environmentally responsible way.

What Types of Waste Increase at Christmas?

1. Packaging Waste

Retailers, offices and households all see a rise in cardboard, plastic trays, ribbons and wrapping paper. Not all wrapping is recyclable — glitter, foil and laminated paper must be kept out of mixed recycling bins.

2. Food Waste

From hospitality businesses to workplace canteens, over-ordering and under-planning can lead to large volumes of food being thrown away. Wasted food doesn’t just cost money — it’s a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions.

3. Electrical and Battery Waste

The gift-giving season brings more electronic devices and gadgets, which often replace older models. Discarded batteries and electrical items fall under WEEE waste, which must be handled carefully to avoid risk of contamination or fire.

4. Decorations and Christmas Trees

Old or broken decorations and trees are often sent to general waste. However, there are safer and more sustainable disposal options available.

How to Reduce Waste Over Christmas: Tips for Businesses and Households

  • Plan Your Waste Strategy Early

Businesses should assess their upcoming waste needs ahead of time. Talk to your waste contractor to increase collection frequency if needed or arrange for one-off clearances.

  • Switch to Sustainable Packaging

Choose recyclable or reusable packaging. Avoid foil or plastic wrap and opt for brown paper or fabric gift bags instead.

  • Avoid Food Waste with Smarter Ordering

Use food portion calculators or ordering systems to reduce excess. Freeze leftovers where possible and donate sealed goods to local food charities.

  • Recycle Electricals Properly

Never put electronics or batteries in general waste. Use a licensed waste provider like Cawleys for WEEE waste collection, and set up designated battery bins in your workplace.

  • Educate Your Staff or Customers

Provide signage or internal guides to help staff or customers understand what can and cannot be recycled.

  • Why Responsible Christmas Waste Management Matters

Environmental Protection

Landfill space is limited, and improperly sorted waste contributes to pollution and climate change. Sustainable waste management supports your organisation’s environmental goals.

  • Legal Compliance: Businesses have a legal obligation to handle their waste responsibly. Failing to do so could result in fines or enforcement under the Environmental Protection Act.

  • Brand Reputation: More customers are expecting the companies they buy from to show clear environmental commitment. Waste management plays a key role in that story — especially at Christmas.

How Cawleys Supports Businesses Over the Festive Season

At Cawleys, we offer a full range of commercial waste services to support your operations through the Christmas period and beyond. These include:

  • Flexible food waste collection for hospitality, retail and office clients

  • WEEE waste and battery disposal in full compliance with UK regulations

  • Seasonal clear-outs for offices, warehouses and retail premises

  • Recycling audits and advice to help improve your existing systems

  • Zero to landfill waste solutions wherever possible

Whether you're a large business or a small office, we tailor our services to match your needs and help reduce waste during one of the busiest times of the year.

A More Sustainable Christmas Starts with Smarter Waste Management

Being environmentally responsible at Christmas doesn’t mean giving up festive traditions — it means making informed decisions about how we consume and discard. For businesses, this is an opportunity to show leadership and reduce costs, all while meeting environmental goals.

If your organisation is planning ahead for the Christmas period and needs advice or support with commercial waste collections, recycling systems, or safe disposal, Cawleys is here to help.

Ready to review your seasonal waste plan?

Get in touch with the team at Cawleys today for expert advice, a free site audit, or to schedule your Christmas waste collections.

Hannah Marshall
Next

Festive season opening hours