On Friday 6 December, the UTS Centre for Social Justice and Inclusion and UTS Sustainability hosted a Sustainable Christmas Market which sought to bring attention to the importance of sustainable and ethical gift giving and avoiding waste during the Christmas period. With Aussies spending an average of $25 billion collectively this holiday season, re imagining gift giving is of upmost importance.
Store holders at UTS Sustainable Christmas Market included LOVEBomb Jewellery, Manly Food Co-op, Foldie, Surf Sock and Anti-Slavery Australia. UTS Sustainability also offered eco-friendly gift wrapping alternatives for all purchases made.
The UTS community was encouraged to write sustainable goals and delivered a range of great advice for making ethical choices this Christmas. The top tips/goals included:
- Sustainable/ethical gifts i.e. compost Coffee filters, bamboo toothbrushes etc.
- Use a real Christmas tree instead of plastic
- Being more mindful of which business I’m supporting when buying Christmas presents
- Gift an experience rather than a physical item
- Use sustainable wrapping paper i.e. newspaper
- Reduce food waste and only buy what's necessary this Christmas
- I’ve asked family and friends for “No presents or plastics (if possible) please”, instead home-made gifts!
- Ask friends/family to donate to your charity of choice rather than buying presents
- Bring Tupperware if eating out for Christmas or for any festive feast leftovers
- DIY Christmas decorations from natural material i.e. orange and cinnamon garlands
