We wish you a very circular Christmas

The circular economy is a hot topic around the world. Even at the North Pole. So, we weren’t all that surprised when Santa got in touch and asked us to have a look at how circular the gifts in his sack were. Knowing a thing or two about circularity, we were happy to oblige.

So, what is the circular economy?

The circular economy (CE) is a concept that changes how we produce and consume goods. It focuses on designing out waste and pollution, keeping products and materials in use and regenerating natural systems.

Our current linear economic system of ‘take-make-dispose’ cannot go on forever. Resources are finite but demand continues to grow. A circular economy sees waste as a design flaw that drives us to extract more resources than necessary. Designing out waste means keeping a product as long as possible, then reusing its parts and, finally, its raw materials. You can read more in our Circular economy Need to Know guide.

These holidays, think: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle (in that order!)

Let’s glimpse into Santa’s sack and see what he and his elves have got ready to fill stockings with this year:

Tickets to see the Rocky Horror Picture Show at your local theatre (less stuff)

Give experiences instead of presents that consume resources and eventually create waste. A local production also supports artists and the community in your area.

A voucher for a massage (less stuff)

Vouchers are also a great way to avoid waste and make sure the recipient gets what they want. If you’ve really got it wrong, they can easily pass the vouchers on.

A punnet of cherries (biological cycle)

Everyone loves juicy, locally grown cherries. Make sure to recycle the punnet they came in and put the pips in the compost.

The stocking itself (made to last, year after year)

Handmade by Granny and still in top-notch condition.

Dad’s Rubik’s cube from 1984 (built to last)

It’s made from plastic but it’s built to last. It’s 40 years old and still works a treat. To create a circular economy we have to produce less stuff. One way is to make second-hand gifts the norm.

Refurbished remote-control car (maintain/reuse)

Picked up at the local op-shop and checked at your local repair café. With a set of rechargeable batteries and a bit of TLC this little race car is ready for more rounds. No need to buy something new.

A membership at your local bike library (share)

Many cities and towns now have bike libraries where you pay an annual fee and receive a refurbished bike. If you need a new one or if it needs a service, you just drop the one you have back.

Sweets (recycle)

In an ideal world, Santa would deliver plastic-free treats made by his elves. Realistically, most Christmas lollies are wrapped in a lot of unnecessary single-use plastic. If you don’t have time to bake yourself, look out for locally-made and paper-wrapped. If you buy chocolate wrapped in tin foil, collect it, scrunch it into a ball and pop it into a can you’ll put out for recycling. Also, make sure that the chocolate has been ethically sourced.

Something not-so-nice

Glittery pop-up card that makes music (oh noo!)

Oh no Santa! Glitter might end up in the ocean, the battery uses resources and the card will used for five minutes and then thrown away! Leave it at the North Pole!

A lump of coal

A traditional German present for naughty children. Used to produce energy, it’s terrible for the environment. But to pass on from generation to generation for disappointing behaviour, it’s actually very circular.

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So, you see Santa, your sack is getting a lot lighter without all the stuff we don’t really need. That’s not only good for your back, but it also saves a lot of energy for transporting your sleigh.

Here’s to a Christmas with less stuff and more cheer from our thinkstep-anz team to you! Thank you for working with us this year to help us all succeed sustainably.