What Happens to All the Holiday Waste Now?

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Every year, Christmas leaves behind more than warm memories — it also produces mountains of waste. Once the gifts are unwrapped and the festive chaos settles, households across Austria face the same question: Where does all the holiday trash go?

A Seasonal Surge in Waste

In the weeks leading up to Christmas, parcels pile up at front doors, shopping carts overflow, and refrigerators are stocked to the brim. Unsurprisingly, this seasonal consumption boom translates into peak workload for waste management services. According to industry data, up to 20 percent more waste is generated during the holidays compared to the annual average.

Austrians use 67 kilograms of paper, cardboard, and packaging material per person each year, and the spike around Christmas is clearly measurable. In Graz, a city of 300,000 residents, the municipal holding company recorded 1,562 tons of paper waste in November 2024, rising to 1,674 tons in December — a 7.1 percent increase. Residual waste followed a similar trend, climbing from 4,043 to 4,300 tons (+6.4 percent).

Recycling Helps — Prevention Helps More

The good news: Austria already recycles around 80 percent of separately collected paper waste. But experts emphasize that the most effective solution starts before the bins fill up. Wrapping gifts in old newspapers or reusable materials, for example, can significantly reduce unnecessary waste.

Food Waste: A Hidden Holiday Problem

Beyond packaging, food waste also surges during the festive season. With online shopping and bulk buying on the rise, more groceries end up unused. Up to one-third of purchased food is thrown away, and in Styria alone, households discard an average of 133 kilograms of avoidable food waste each year.

Hans Roth, founder of Saubermacher, argues that mindful shopping is key: buying less, choosing higher-quality products, and supporting local producers. A survey by bank99 and the Austrian Post shows that Austrians spend an average of €154 on food for the Christmas holidays, compared to roughly €400 for an entire month.

Not All Holiday Waste Belongs in the Same Bin

Festive decorations also contribute to the seasonal waste wave. Saubermacher reminds residents that:

Christmas trees can be composted in the garden or chopped and placed in the organic waste bin.
Decorations such as garlands and ornaments belong in residual waste — not in glass recycling containers.

Waste Collection Teams in Continuous Operation

Despite the holidays, waste collection does not take a break. Saubermacher confirms that regular routes continue throughout Christmas, supplemented by additional Saturday shifts to compensate for public holidays. In Graz, crews work almost nonstop — including on St. Stephen’s Day, December 31, and multiple days in early January.

For the workers, it’s a demanding contrast to the season’s themes of rest and reflection. For the rest of us, it’s a reminder that responsible consumption and proper waste sorting can make their job — and our environmental footprint — a little lighter.