The Zero Waste Christmas Festival is back! Join us and all the merriment at The George, D02, on Sunday 1st of December from 12 noon.
Christmas can be a difficult time to keep your bins empty and your recycling pile small, but during this event you will get tips on cutting down on waste from food and packaging, gifts and wrapping to decorations and festive dressing!
From making better choices of materials, reusing and upcycling, there will be something to be learned for everyone, no matter where you are on your journey. For your first foray into zero waste, stop by our info-stand for guidance on beginning your zero waste lifestyle and learn about simple changes you can do in your daily life, be it in the bathroom, kitchen or on the go. The workshops, talks and demos this Christmas will include advice on alternative gifting and gift wrapping, edible gifts, festive food and drinks, creating upcycled gifts and buying items that last. These workshops and talks will operate on a first-come first-served basis.
Anne from the Zero Waste festival gave some tips about Zero Waste Christmas at Beat 102/103’s Sunday Grill Podcast. Listen to it here:
Our market stalls will offer you alternatives to plastic-laden gifts promoting handmade, sustainable and conscious gifts. We will focus on handmade, natural, package-free, locally made and second-hand products to help you with your Christmas shopping - but you will also be able to stock up on your loose food items or refills of cleaning products.
The ever popular clothes swap will be back too with the festive addition of Christmas jumpers! So bring your old one and swap it for a new loved one.
Venue
The festival will be hosted at the The George Bar at 89 South Great George’s Street, Dublin 2, from 12 noon to 6 pm on Sunday, December 1st, 2019.
The George is one of Dublin’s most iconic LGBT+ venues and features a wide variety of LGBT+ artwork. Please consider this when visiting with children.
The venue is wheelchair/buggy accessible on the ground floor, however, this unfortunately excludes the workshops/talks and some vendors/info-stands which are located on the gallery.
How to get there?
The George is located right in the heart of Dublin, just off Dame Street. You can plan your trip to The George with public transport (Bus and LUAS) by using the Transport for Ireland Journey Planner.
There are bicycle racks just across the street of the bar and plenty of Dublin Bike stations in the area.
Admission
The festival is 100% free for access to the market and workshops. You can grab your drinks and coffee from the bar at The George.
Open 12 noon – 6 pm – FREE entry.
Get your free tickets on Eventbrite or just turn up on the day.
Events and Market
Event Schedule
Click on the schedule to download a higher resolution PDF.
Talks and Workshops
In the workshop room which is located on the upper level, we will offer you a wide range of engaging workshops and talks themed around Zero Waste living around Christmas. Admission is free, but please note that there is only limited capacity in the room for each workshop/talk, so come early to avoind dissapointment. Each workshop/talk is scheduled to last approximately 45 minutes and the room has to be cleared in between workshops for preparation.
| Time | Talk/Workshop |
|---|---|
| 12:30 – 1:15 | Christmas Kraut |
| 1:30 – 2:15 | Christmas out of a Plastic Bottle |
| 2:30 – 3:15 | Zero Waste Christmas Gifting |
| 3:30 – 4:15 | Buy to Last |
| 4:30 – 5:15 | Festive Elixirs |
12:30 – 1:15
Christmas Kraut
In this 1 hour demonstration and Q&A, you’ll learn how to make delicious, naturally fermented sauerkraut at home, how fermentat safely, ome of the health benefits associated with fermented foods, and which supplies and ingredients you need. The workshop includes: printed detailed instructions of the process covered in the demonstration, samples of an array of fermented foods and drinks and a gift of a water kefir or kombucha SCOBY with a link to online instructions. Please note: All samples are plant-based and made with organic or wild ingredients. This workshop is presented by Terri Ann Fox of River Run Ferments. She is a Fermentation enthusiast and considers herself to be a food activist.
1:30 – 2:15
Christmas out of a Plastic Bottle
Using green bins fillers, we will built Christmas trees and other ornaments. A way to repurposed many plastic items so they can be used for more than a few days and become beautiful items for Christmas. This workshop is presented by Emmanuel Reynaud who is a polymath with a need to build in a frugal manner. Raised in a remote farmland where everything must be used and preserved, he got involved in construction, electronics, optics gardening, cooking and so on. Emmanuel is a lecturer in UCD but develops open source easy to build microscopes and other scientific tools as well as provides support for major companies. Recently, he took on the challenge to reuse plastic items form our green bin to make everyday useful objects to demonstrate our wasteful ways and poor recycling policies.
2:30 – 3:15
Zero Waste Christmas Gifting
This workshop will go through how to shop minimally and with a zero waste approach during the Christmas season plus give a demonstration on various ways to gift wrap. This workshop is presented by Other Mother which is a zero waste business that hand makes cloth alternatives to disposable products using upcycled fabrics. You can find their stall at the Zero Waste Market.
3:30 – 4:15
Buy to Last
In this informative talk cum discussion, we will identify strategies to find durable, long-lasting and sustainable alternatives to many of the cheap buys we encounter in our daily lives. We will delve into topics such as planned obsolescence, repairability, fast fashion and personal care products. Because “buying to last” will save money, stress, and the planet. The talk is hosted by Jan Knappe, an Environmental Scientist working at Trinity College Dublin. He has a degree in Sustainable Development and hates when things go to waste. He is an active dumpster diver and involved with the Zero Waste Festival for the past two years. Most recently, he helped co-found Precious Plastic Dublin, a local volunteer group trying to empower communities to recycle their own post-consumer plastic waste into new, valuable products. You can find his stall at the Zero Waste Market.
4:30 – 5:15
Festive Elixirs
It’s that time of the year again, when star anise, cinnamon and nutmeg all come into their own. Well let us help inspire you with some delicious tasty festive favourites. We will share our recipes for Turmeric lattes, Spiced Pumpkin mix, Christmas Chai along with an insight into how to make your very own Christmas kombucha! This workshop is presented by Naomi from Noms. Noms partners natural organic food with ethical & sustainable living. A place in the community where people can come, feel welcome & consider new possibilities. You can find their stall at the Zero Waste Market.
Zero Waste Market
AB Soap Studio
If you are aiming for plastic free and synthetic free body care, AB Soap Studio has you covered from head to toe. The AB Hair Transition set will help you adjust to natural hair care. You can browse though their new range of conditioning shampoo bars or reach for their all-time favourites, including the best-selling Rye and Hibiscus Flour shampoo, Apple Cider Vinegar shaving soap and charcoal face bar. You can also choose your favourite from the AB BABY range of soaps for delicate skin: Oat and Cocoa, Calendula with ACV and Lavender with Coconut Milk. Not just for babies! Soon to launch is the ZERO WASTE BODY CARE SUBSCRIPTION BOX, with a seasonally curated selection of their best sellers. Find out more on their Facebook.
Aoife Rose Designs
Aoife Rose Designs is a childrens clothing and sustainability store. Aoife Rose concentrates many of her designs using upcycled fabric, also uses organic cotton. Aoife Rose also sell cloth nappies, csp, washable make up wipes and natural skincare and soaps including solid shampoo and conditioner bars. She also sells a range of reusable coffee cups, water bottles and bamboo toothbrushes. There is something for everyone and plenty of present ideas for the whole family. Find out more on their Facebook.
Bee Dynamite
Bee Dynamite is a product consisting of throw and grow wildflower bombs. They are made with 100% wildflower seed which creates a beautiful array of flowers when fully established. Check them out on Facebook or Instagram.
Blue Bridge House
Blue Bridge House makes handmade eco-friendly reusable items such as face wipes, sponges, beeswax wraps, travel soap pouches, furoshikis and more! We love playing with ideas that can help to reduce waste, reuse, change our habits and consume differently, while looking for materials that are kind to both humans and the environment. For more info check out their Etsy store, Facebook or Instagram.
Drogheda Honey
Honey, Beeswax candles and beeswax bars from our native Irish honey bee Apis mellifera mellifera.
Drumnasilla
Selection of unusual Jams, Jellies, Chutneys, Fresh award winning Curd, Marmalade, Relish, Pickles, Honey, Bee Pollen, and Country Syrups, all gluten free, and most taste-able on re-usable spoons, all suitable for Vegans save curds. Sold in glass jars taken back, when empty, for re-use. Find out more on their Facebook.
Emmanuel Reynaud’s Recycled Plastic
Find some amazing recycled plastic gifts here.
Hazy Blue Skies
Hazy Blue Skies offers marine themed art made from repurposed fishing debris found on beach cleans in Ireland. Framed in reused shadow box frames. Also driftwood with aquatic quotes. Handmade glycerine seaweed shampoo & body bar.
Jennifer Juniper Crafts
Jennifer hand-makes cotton make-up pads and face-cloths. She also re-purposes old shirts to make tote bags and place mats. For more info, find them on Facebook.
Keep It Green
Keep it Green eco shop sell products that support sustainable lifestyles and promote the principles of reuse and refill. Their wide range of products include stainless steel bottles, bamboo, glass and collapsible coffee cups, lunch boxes and food jars, travel cutlery and reusable straws, beeswax wrap, organic cotton cleansing pads, wipes and sanitary pads, palm oil free soaps, shampoo and shaving bars. Razors and beard oil, tooth wash and toothpaste tablets, compostable dental floss, bamboo toothbrushes and cotton buds. Their products are made to last a long time and can be composted, recycled or given to someone else at the end of their life. Find out more on their Facebook.
LittlePrinceinIreland
Buy a hand-knitted doll, which is a good place to start for zero waste toys because dolls are fun for kids and can be washed and used for generations to come.
Mandastic
Mandastic.com offers high quality artistic gifts, stylishly designed and uniquely handcrafted in Dublin, Ireland, while making a positive impact on both the people and the planet. You can also find them on their website or Facebook.
Nathan Jackson’s Farm Veg
Nathan Jackson is a local grower starting who recently started a CSA in Derrybeg. He will be bringing some of his finest locally grown, organic produce for sale at our Festival.
Noms
Noms partners natural organic food with ethical & sustainable living. A place in the community where people can come, feel welcome & consider new possibilities. Bring your jars and cloths bags for refills here, offering a wide range of products, including household and body care items, loose grains, fruits, spices, and snacks. Find them at the Zero Waste Festival or check out Noms’ website and Instagram to check out their range of products.
Om Nibbles
Om Nibbles offer luxury tasty, natural, earth-friendly treats & eco products all lovingly handcrafted locally in Rathgar, Dublin, using the highest quality natural ingredients and packaged FULLY PLASTIC FREE in zero waste home compostable film (which will biodegrade within months causing no harm to the planet). They will have a special Christmas selection of their luxury natural earth-friendly treats including their new Handcrafted Raw Chocolate (uniquely sweetened only from date powder), Tasty Natural Snack Bars, Kavachi Spiced Apple Tea (packed with real fruit), gift bags of Nuts, Dried Fruit, Seeds & Spices, as well as a small collection of hand designed Bags & Eco Products. The Perfect Earth-friendly gifts for that special person in your life. (Gift wrapping & vouchers available). All their products are naturally Vegan, Preservative Free, Processed Sugar Free, Pesticide Free & contain Absolutely Nothing Artificial! Find out more on their Facebook.
Other Mother
Other Mother is a business that upcycles fabrics and materials and turns them into cloth alternatives to disposable products. For more info, check out her facebook page.
Salt and Lush
Salt and Lush creates all natural bath, aromatherapy and self-care products such as botanical facial steam, bath salts, facial oil, clay mask powder, aromatherapy shower bombs, and aromatherapy pink himalayan salts along with crystal facial rollers and Gua Sha Tools. Their products contain no preservatives, no synthetic fragrances, no artificial ingredients and packaging is recyclable, refillable and reusable. Find out more on their Facebook.
Sonett
Sonett Ireland makes Organic soaps, detergents and body care products and are ecologically conscientious since the start in 1977. Make sure to check their website for what they have to offer.
Three Hills Soap
Three Hills Soap offer natural-only soaps and shampoos for sensitive, oily, combination, normal, dry, acne-prone, itchy, and irritated skin. They use only natural ingredients in all products. They only colour all products with natural plant colourants, cosmetic-grade clays and spices. Only pure essential oils are used to scent their products. Three Hills Soap is also committed to Eco-Friendly Green Packaging as they minimise packaging materials and their products packaging is 100% recycled, recyclable and compostable. Check out their website or follow them on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
Info Stands
Revived Yarn
Revived Yarn is a community active in Dublin with the goal to keep homeless people warm in a sustainable way. We upcycle leftovers of yarn and knit or crochet comfortable scarves, mittens and hats. These are distributed all year round to charities that assist individuals and families directly. Our group can receive donations of yarn and handmade items. Find out more about Revived Yarn on their Facebook page, Twitter or website.
WeShare
WeShare is a Gift Economy Community, sharing skills, knowledge, practical support, ideas, stuff and time, and all for free. Sharing is easy through our online platform – ask for anything; offer what you no longer need. We aim to reduce the over-consumption that is depleting the earth’s resources by sharing what we have with each other. This supports a transition from consumption to contribution; transaction to trust; from isolation to community. Putting more soul in the society! Find out more about their work on Instagram and Twitter.
Seal Rescue Ireland
Seal Rescue Ireland is a charity based in Courtown Co. Wexford, which works hard to rescue, rehabilitate and release sick, injured and orphaned seal pups from the coastline of Ireland while also placing a strong focus on environmental and wildlife education and engaging the public in proactive conservation activities. Find out more about their work on Instagram and Twitter.
Precious Plastic Dublin
Precious Plastic Dublin is a volunteer collective working on practical solutions to reduce plastic waste and pollution in Dublin. As part of the Precious Plastic global movement, they aim to bring plastic recycling closer to the local community. As a special for the Zero Waste Christmas Festival they will set up collection boxes for HDPE bottle caps at their stall, so make sure to collect and bring them with you on the day for recycling. You can check out their website and Instagram feed. They also tweet @DublinPlastic.
Dublin Community Supported Agriculture
The Dublin CSA is a community supported agriculture group based in Dublin. CSAs involve establishing a relationship with a farmer for a growing season. The members commit to pay an agreed fee for a season and receive in exchange local and organic veggies, good for your health and good for the environment! In our case, delicious veggies grown by our farmer Stuart. Find out more about the Dublin CSA on their website, Instagram or directly at the Festival.
Dublin Food Cooperative
Dublin Food Co-op is a members co-operative established in 1983 by a group of friends with an aim to source good quality, affordable, sustainably sourced vegetarian food and eco-friendly products. In 2019, our aim is still the same - although now we operate out of a shop in Kilmainham and have almost 3,000 members. Dublin Food Co-op is an organisation that cares about community, the environment and education - we have demonstrated that year by launching our community development course in which we will offer courses in Co-operative Studies, Permaculture, zero waste cooking and facilitation & lectures by guest speakers on sustainability and community organising. Find out more about their work on Instagram and Twitter.
Swap Shops
There will be two Swap Shops at this Christmas Festival. Our Clothes Swap Shop will be in the main event space at The George Bar and our Swap Shop for Christmas jumpers, chrildren’s toys and book will be located at the The Conscious Christmas Store in 13 Fade Street, a 1-minute walk from The George. So, please bring your pre-loved items along, drop them off with our volunteers, and pick up what you need from the Swap Shop.
Clothes Swap Shop
Bring your washed, and wearable clothes, shoes, and accessories to the festival. The Swap Shop will work on an item-by-item basis, i.e., for every item you bring, you will get one token that you can exchange for any other item in the Swap Shop. Since we will re-stock the Swap Shop continuously as people drop off new items, it’s worth checking it out from time to time in between the talks and workshops.
Drop-off for the Swap Shop will open at 12 noon and continue until 4 pm. The Swap Shop will be open for swapping from 1 pm to 5:30 pm.
Also, don’t worry if you run out of tokens but still find this nice pre-loved piece that would perfectly fit your wardrobe, we will have a donation box at the check-out where you can drop a coin or two to help us keep this a free event in the future.
All unclaimed items will be donated to a local charity shop at the end of the day.
Christmas jumper, chrildren’s toys and book Swap Shop
We are delighted to run a Christmas jumper, chrildren’s toys and book Swap Shop in collaboration with the The Conscious Christmas Store, a pop-up store at 13 Fade Street run by The Kind Company and Jiminy.
So head over there (our beautiful volunteers will be waiting for you) and swap your pre-loved Christmas jumper, chrildren’s toys and books there. As with the clothes swap, we will be working on a token basis with the opportunity to donate if you find more things to take then you brought. The Swap Shop at The Conscious Christmas Store will be open from 1 pm to 5 pm.
What to bring
For notes
There’ll be no leaflets or business cards, so bring your phone, a camera or a pen and paper.
For workshops
You’ll need a fork or spoon for samples of food.
For shopping
You’ll need your own containers for loose goods and refills and bring some bags to carry your purchases home.
For food and drinks
Bring your own mug, water bottle and lunch box and utensils. You’re also welcome to bring a picnic to share with your new Zero Waste friends.
Stuff to swap/share/donate
- Clean and wearable men’s, women’s and kid’s clothes for the swap shop
- Spare jars can be useful for other people who didn’t bring enough
- Bring any take-away containers you have built up to share in case people are short
Photo and video recording
We are very happy if you take photos at the festival and share them on our or your social media with the hashtags #ZeroWasteFestival #ZeroWasteChristmas
If you would like to record videos (private and to share), please talk to us in advance or ask any of the organizers during the day. Just drop us an email at info@zerowastefestival.ie.
Under any circumstances, please be considerate of your peers and be aware that not everyone (especially visitors and their children) is comfortable with having their picture taken during the event.
We will be taking photos and recording short videos during the event itself to share on our website and social media. Feel free to talk to our volunteers during the day if you do not want to appear in any photos or recordings.