How to have a more sustainable New Year’s Eve

Make sustainable and reusable decorations

Try making your own confetti and streamers! All you need is a pair of scissors and wrapping paper, either left over from Christmas or the from newspapers and magazines. Cut the paper into small pieces and strips and use the colourful ribbons of the gifts to make garlands to hang on walls and ceiling. Fight the urge to use confetti or streamers outdoors; they will eventually become litter and will not be recycled.

If you buy decorations, prefer recyclable materials that don’t mention the year – “Happy New Year” instead of “Happy 2025”, so you can use them again for years to come.

Say “no” to disposable cutlery and utensils

One of the most annoying parts of any house party is cleaning up the next day (or, for the bravest, the day of). The easiest way would be to use disposable cups, plates, and cutlery. But the easiest path isn’t always the best for the planet – think of the amount of non-recyclable waste that single-use plastics generate.

This waste usually ends up in landfills or oceans. To avoid harming the environment, use reusable tableware and cutlery (the ones you use every day, for example). If you have a lot of guests, use biodegradable disposable cutlery and utensils – such as organic bamboo, sugar cane, cornstarch, or certified materials – which you can then compost at home. This is also a way to spare natural resources while celebrating the New Year.

Invites? Placeholders? Souvenirs? Use seed paper.

We like to show you different options, so don’t be surprised by this tip: ever heard about seed paper? It is biodegradable and can be planted to become a new plant. If you like to make personalized invites, placeholders with the guest’s name or a special message, or even offer a small gift or party favour to those who share New Year’s Eve with you, choose seed paper – a good deed that will surprise everyone and a keepsake that grows and lasts far beyond the celebration.

Add a small note with instructions on how to plant and care for the seeds—it only takes three steps! Each planted leaf helps reduce the carbon footprint and attracts pollinators like bees and butterflies, which are essential for the ecosystem’s balance.

Cook a meal with local produce

During New Year’s Eve supper, food may be plentiful, varied, and locally sourced. However, it isn’t too common to have a beautiful platter of vegetables on New Year’s Eve. Why can’t vegetables be associated with a feast? Reverse this trend: serve a more balanced and sustainable meal, one where the Mediterranean diet does the honours.

You can also vary the menu by serving a vegetarian or vegan meal. Vegetable quiche? Vegan alheira croquettes? Oven-roasted vegetables? There are countless delicious options. Additionally, remember to use local produce – a way to support your region’s economy while ensuring fresher, more nutritious ingredients.

Plan the menu and avoid food waste

There is a Portuguese saying that goes something like this: “It is better to have too much than not enough”. This saying is especially true when it comes to food and guests. But if the leftovers end up in the bin, then it is not better at all – for your wallet or the environment. To avoid excesses that lead to food waste, plan ahead for the number of guests or, better yet, have a potluck-style supper: each person can be responsible for bringing something to dinner, whether it is fruit, a main course, a dessert… This option requires everyone to know what each one is bringing, so there are no repeat dishes. It saves the host time and effort while ensuring more variety on the table.

Ask everyone to bring their own take-away box

Is good planning not enough to wipe out leftovers? To avoid food waste, ask each of the guests to bring a container box to the New Year’s Eve dinner. This way, everyone can take a portion of the leftovers home. If you don’t stay home all night, don’t forget to store leftover food in the fridge or freeze it to prevent spoiling.

Shine with clothes and styles from other years

Who said New Year’s Eve means brand-new clothes? The fashion industry is the second-largest consumer of water and is responsible for 2 to 8% of global CO2 emissions. As tempting as it may be, don’t buy new clothes for the New Year’s celebration and give new life to one of your party outfits instead. If you do buy clothes, shop consciously.

You may also consider second-hand or vintage stores, where you can find unique pieces with a story. Another option is to look for brands that use high-quality natural and organic materials with sustainable production processes.

Write a list of New Year’s resolutions

The end of another year brings greater reflection on the achievements and plans that never happened. Take this opportunity to make a list of all the things you’re proud to have accomplished and another with your resolutions for the year ahead. Include accomplishments you’d like to achieve on a personal and professional level. Get inspired by these sustainable New Year’s resolutions and challenge your guests to do the same!

Choose your raisins

Portuguese tradition dictates that the twelve strokes of midnight must be accompanied by twelve raisins – one for each of the New Year’s wishes. If you’re one of the many who don’t like raisins but make the sacrifice just for the day, why not replace them? Instead of raisins, a nut or dried fruit of your choice. Almonds, cashews, and walnuts are great choices.

This also benefits your health, as dried fruits are rich in antioxidants and healthy fats. Ask guests in advance if they like raisins, to make the moment more inclusive and reduce food waste.

Pop the champagne open, and don’t waste a drop!

When the countdown stops, the characteristic “pop” of the champagne bottle cork is a must. But don’t give in to temptation (can we call it almost an instinct?) of giving your friends a “champagne bath” – something relatively common when it’s time for celebration and a bottle of champagne is in your hand.

Instead, make sure that the champagne goes exactly where it should – into the glasses, for the long-awaited toast, without waste.