At hampers.com, we're celebrating Zero Waste Week 2025 by sharing our top tips to reduce waste. Whether it's the materials we use to package our gift hampers, or the initiatives we support, we're committed to making a positive impact.
From the producers and makers we source our delicious products from to the way our team members work on a day-to-day basis, and all our customers who buy our luxury hampers from us, we want to encourage everyone to take sustainable steps to minimise waste.
What is Zero Waste Week?
Before we begin with our top tips, we think it's best that we outline what Zero Waste Week is, and why it's so important.
Zero Waste Week is an annual awareness campaign that aims to get people across the globe looking at their practises and processes, their waste output, and making conscious efforts to improve & reduce these. Sadly, we cannot avoid waste production completely, however we can make significant efforts to reduce our output and the negative impact it has on the environment.
Who is Zero Waste Week for?
Zero Waste Week is for all of us. Whether you’re an individual, a business like us, or a community group, school, or local authority, we urge you to get involved this September 1st-5th 2025!
Despite the name, Zero Waste Week isn't solely for one week. We want you to use what you learn and the good habits you introduce to reduce waste to become something you continue to implement throughout the year.
Read on to learn our top tips to help you avoid waste and make the most of what you have this Zero Waste Week.
Our top tips to reduce waste
1. reuse & recycle: make the most of packaging
One of the key ways we combat waste at hampers.com is by using reusable and recyclable packaging materials. Our beautiful wicker baskets and signature gift boxes are designed to be reused time and time again.
They're strong and sturdy, meaning they make a great storage solution. So, after unpacking and enjoy the content of your hamper why not repurpose the wicker basket around the home or as a picnic basket for when Summer rolls around?
When it comes to protecting our hampers during transit, we use 100% recyclable spiral wrap, ensuring that even our protective materials are kind to the planet. Plus, our packing wood-wool is 100% natural and biodegradable.
Because of how beautiful and luxurious these hampers and gift baskets feel in themselves, they're great for saving and regifting to someone at aa later date. We've invested in the quality of our hampers and baskets in order to invest in the planet, and ensure that they can be reused for years and years
2. fall in love with leftovers
Planning your meals ahead of time is a simple yet effective way to reduce food waste. By thinking ahead you can buy only what you need and ensure you're using everything you purchase. Measure the right amount of ingredients to avoid leftovers and you'll be surprised at how much food (and money!) you save in the process.
Our food and drinks hampers are abundant with premium products that can help you pimp your leftovers. Combine those random odds and ends of cheese and make a wonderful toastie with cheeseboard chutney from The Hawkshead Relish Company - a wonderfully fruity chutney with figs, cranberries, apples and pinot noir.
Or, use the incredible Chilli Crunch Chilli Oil by Woolf's Kitchen that is guaranteed to liven up any boring rice and chicken lingering in the back of the fridge.
Leftovers don’t have to be boring! Instead of throwing out uneaten food, turn it into something new and delicious. Get creative and make the most of every bite. The way we plan, shop for and prepare our meals has a profound impact on both our personal health and the environment. Zero-waste meal planning offers a practical, health-conscious, and environmentally responsible solution that benefits individuals, communities, and the planet.
For more advice on how to start zero waste meal planning, Zero Waste Week themselves have written a really comprehensive and useful guide that will be great to get you started.
3. pay attention to best before dates: use your judgment
Best before dates are often misunderstood. They indicate when a product will be at its peak quality, not necessarily when it should be thrown away. Use your senses - look, smell, and taste, before deciding to discard something. Understanding different types of food labels (e.g., "best by," "use by") can help reduce food waste, as some dates are more indicative of quality than safety.
You might find that many items are still perfectly good to eat well after their best before date!
4. spread the love and give back
At hampers.com, we donate any surplus food to our local food bank - Oxford Food Hub, ensuring that nothing goes to waste. Food banks play a crucial role in preventing food waste by rescuing edible & surplus food and then redistributing it to families and individuals in need.
They partner with businesses, farmers, and individuals to collect excess food that would otherwise go to waste and ensure it reaches those who need it most. This process not only reduces food waste but also addresses food insecurity and its associated environmental impacts
You can do the same! If you find yourself with extra food items, consider donating them to a local food bank. It’s a simple act of kindness that can make a real difference to those in need.
5. recycle smarter: close the loop
Recycling is at the heart of our waste reduction efforts. We place our cardboard in a bailer, which is regularly collected for recycling. This ensures that our packaging materials don’t end up in a landfill. Don't forget, you can make a difference too, by recycling at home!
Minimise packaging and opt for products with less packaging and choose packaging that is easily recyclable (e.g., cardboard instead of plastic and cardboard combinations). Start buying less and consider if you really need a product before purchasing it. Can you borrow, rent, or buy used items instead? Remember to repair and reuse and fix broken items instead of throwing them away. Repurpose items for new uses.
You should also make sure you understand your local recycling programme. This includes checking your local council's website or recycling guidelines to understand what materials are accepted in your area. When recycling, make sure to ensure avoid cross contamination and only putting accepted materials in your recycling bins. Contamination can lead to entire loads being rejected.
Join us this Zero Waste Week
Reducing waste is a collective effort, and at hampers.com, we’re committed to doing our part. By making small changes in our everyday habits, we can all contribute to a more sustainable future. Whether it’s reusing, recycling, or simply being more mindful of what we consume, every action counts.
So why not join in this Zero Waste Week and help to make waste a thing of the past?
