Ah, Christmas – where family traditions come alive! For many of us, it’s not just the feast or the tree that takes centre stage; it’s the joyful ‘pop’ of Christmas crackers! No celebration is complete without the crackle, the silly hats and those delightfully groan-worthy jokes.
Picture this: the family gathered around the table, pulling crackers in unison. The room fills with laughter as someone reads out, ‘What do you call a reindeer who tells jokes? Comet-dian!’ (Yes, we know – it’s hilariously bad, but that’s the point!) The table glimmers with colourful paper hats, tiny plastic toys and shimmering ribbons, setting the mood for festive cheer.
Fast forward to Boxing Day: All of this ends up in the bin – together with the crackers’ plastic packaging (and mountains of wrapping paper!).
As much as we love our crackers, the cheap and cheerful ones we grab from the shop aren’t exactly a win for the planet. That’s why this year, we decided to explore more sustainable options – we even crunched the numbers to see how circular they are using the Material Circularity Indicator (MCI).
So, what’s the MCI?
The Material Circularity Indicator is a tool developed by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation (and our very own Head of Circular Economy Jim Goddin). It measures how well a product fits into a circular economy – minimising waste and keeping resources in use. The higher the percentage, the more circular the product. Simple, right?
Here’s how the crackers stack up:
*In our calculation we used Ecosnap from KeepThisCracker - a gunpowder-free, low-noise snap available in the UK. This was the most circular yet crackable solution we could find. While there’s no equivalent in the Australasian market yet, international options exist. A snap-free option would be even more circular - but admittedly less fun!
**Seeds could be collected from last year's flowers, native varieties would support the local wildlife.
Circularity
Note: We assumed we would use our reusable crackers for 18 years, so we calculated the resources used and waste produced for this period for all three alternatives.
The Budget Cracker
Features: Foil-printed paper, plastic ribbon, joke, hat, plastic toy
→ Circularity: 29.3%
→ Resources used: 3.553 kg
→ Landfill waste: 2.771 kg
→ Waste reduction: 0%
→ Carbon footprint: 6.32kg (0.35kg per year)
Cheap and cheerful, these crackers bring the fun but not much environmental goodwill.
The 'Sustainable' Cracker
Features: Recyclable paper, raffia ribbon, plastic-free goodies like soap bars, tea, and flower seeds
→ Circularity: 71.2%
→ Resources used: 3.438 kg
→ Landfill waste: 0.667 kg
→ Waste reduction: 76%
→ Carbon footprint: 4.56kg (0.25kg per year)
These crackers add a dose of eco-consciousness while keeping the festive spirit intact.
The Reusable Cracker
Features: Washable fabric tubes, linen/cotton hats, flower seeds, zero plastic, and minimal waste.
→ Circularity: 98.3%
→ Resources used: 0.532 kg
→ Landfill waste: 0.028 kg
→ Waste reduction: 99%
→ Carbon footprint: 0.82kg (0.71kg in year 1, then 0.01kg per year)
The clear winner in sustainability – and an invitation to start a new tradition.
Why reusable crackers are a game-changer
Like traditions, the environmental benefits of reusable crackers only get better with time. Reusable crackers may start off with a larger impact than budget or sustainable crackers, but after the second or third use, the overall impact is the same or less. For every year of use, the impact of reusable crackers hardly increases, but you're avoiding the impacts (and costs) of buying a new pack each year.
Cumulative impacts from material consumption over time
A reusable Christmas cracker doesn’t just reduce waste; it opens the door to creativity, lasting memories and new traditions. You could repurpose fabric from old Christmas PJs, or beloved baby clothes, turning something sentimental into a festive favourite.
Instead of a joke, include a note on which you add your favourite thing about this particular Christmas Day each year. Imagine looking back in 10 years at a collection of heartwarming memories! If you miss the jokes too much, get a joke book from the op shop and bring it out every year for Christmas Day!
Ready for a more circular Christmas?
Whether you’re rethinking your crackers or looking for other ways to make the holiday season more circular, there’s plenty of inspiration to be found. Check out more ideas in our blogs below.
Let’s toast to traditions, togetherness and a planet-friendly Christmas this year!