Christmas: Rejoice, Reduce, Recycle!

‘Tis the season of gift-giving and festivities as we approach the most wonderful time of the year! That’s right – Christmas is just around the corner.

Continuing from our recent Rubbish Robots experience in Your OSHC, we encourage children to develop a deeper bond with the world around them and make environmentally conscious choices through fun activities that involve recycling, upcycling and reducing waste.

Let your child be a ‘sustainability champion’ during this holiday season by unleashing their creativity whilst having fun reusing and reducing Christmas rubbish! Let’s get in the spirit of recycling and explore fun ways to turn Christmas trash into treasure, such as creating an ‘inventor’s box’ or other activities for kids.

What’s the Difference Between Recycling and Reusing?

While both are essential aspects of sustainability in our daily lives, recycling and reusing are quite different.

Recycling involves collecting and breaking down raw materials into unused or discarded materials, leading to an entirely new or different product. It helps in reducing the amount of waste produced and raw materials used.

On the other hand, recycling involves taking a previously unused or discarded item and repurposing it. It extends the item’s lifespan, minimises waste and doesn’t require further processing or production.

At Camp Australia, we’re big on recycling and reusing. We believe it plays an integral role in all communities and endeavour to treat ourselves and our planet with care – especially during the holidays. From upcycled playtime ideas to learning how to be sustainable, we believe we can make a positive difference in every child’s future.

The Benefits of Reusing & Recycling

There is a plethora of benefits to both reusing and recycling. That includes:

• Helping the environment by giving a second life to certain items or making sure they’re properly recycled;
• Saving money because being greener can lead to innovation and creativity, such as upcycling empty jars into vases, food storage and eco-friendly Christmas decorations;
• Helping your children to make more sustainable and wiser choices for the future;
• Reducing waste in your home and your life by reusing items and subsequently exposing yourself to fewer chemicals;
• Protecting animals and plants because decreasing the demand for raw materials means ensuring their homes remain safer for longer;
• Cutting down on clutter because fewer plastic containers and empty boxes are piling up, leaving you with a fresher, cleaner home for the holidays.

5 Sustainable Christmas Ideas

Painted Star Garlands

Use old newspaper or wrapping paper and cut into random star shapes. Let your child paint them with whatever colours they want, and let them dry in the sun. The stars can be sewn or strung throughout to create a one-of-a-kind garland for decorating or even hanging on Christmas trees!

Paper Bows

Instead of buying plastic or ribbon bows, you may want to reuse old wrapping paper to create unique gift bows that are just as pretty and purposeful. Simply cut strips of wrapping paper, newspaper or even a page out of magazines to make different shapes using glue or sticky tape.

Christmas Card Puzzle

Create your own DIY holiday puzzles with some recycled Christmas cards – fun and simple for the whole family! Simply cut them into equal strips, stick each piece onto a popsicle stick (or cardboard) and jumble them up! It’s a fun activity for younger children to connect the pieces to complete the puzzle.

Recycled Wreath

A DIY Christmas statement piece that you can reuse every holiday. Creating a wreath from old cards and wrapping paper can add a special touch to your home. Use recycled pieces and cut them into various shapes, then use foam to secure the pieces to hang on your door. Your child can help you to choose what cards and wrapping paper to use – or create one of their own.

Cardboard Tube Gift Boxes

Use toilet paper or kitchen roll tubes and turn them into reusable gift boxes. You and your child can paint, decorate and cut into desired shapes to pop trinkets, gifts or treats into. If you’re both feeling extra creative, use the gift boxes to hold things around the house, such as Christmas décor, pens or more!

Camp Australia is committed to making the world safer for your child. We’re always looking for solutions to plastic pollution, and we know that Christmas can be a joyous time to help your child learn more about it.

As a conscientious parent, bringing sustainability into your holiday preparations will help your child to make better choices for their future. To learn more about our passion for a happier, healthier planet this Christmas, visit Camp Australia today.