December is a unique month characterized by significant changes. Cities transform, daily routines shift, and friends and families come together more frequently, seasonal markets emerge, and the influx of tourists increases. This creates a consumption ecosystem unmatched at any other time of the year.
Plastic—a material that sparks much debate yet proves essential in many areas—also follows unique dynamics during this period.
An analysis of the week between Christmas and New Year’s offers valuable insights into the behaviour of citizens, shops, businesses, and commercial activities, as well as the urban infrastructure. It also emphasizes that, when managed effectively, plastic and its recycling can actively contribute to a circular economy.
A Truly One-of-a-Kind Month
December is a month marked by significant variability in consumption patterns, both in Italy and throughout Europe. This is evident not only in the overall volume of consumption but also in the types of products purchased:
- PET and PP food packaging
- Decorations, gadgets, and seasonal items
- Tableware and supplies for parties and receptions
- Single-use items for temporary events
- Reusable shopping bags distributed by stores
However, this increase in consumption is not uniform. Different cities display different behaviours influenced by their economic profiles, tourist traffic, and cultural practices.
Some Key Insights
Cities experience December differently, and these variations are influenced more by urban culture, consumption habits, and the presence of commercial activities or seasonal events than by geographical factors.
During the holiday season, packaging consumption can rise up to +10%, according to data from CONAI. In particular, plastic and glass packaging usage increases (by approximately 6% to 10%), driven primarily by Christmas shopping (source: Food&Tech). Areas with higher levels of tourism, on-the-go purchases, and temporary markets often rely more on lightweight and single-use packaging.
These dynamics differ from place to place, shaped by local lifestyles and by the pressure that holiday activities put on urban services. They also emphasize that recycling is effective only when materials are disposed of properly, no matter which city you are in.
The Impact of Christmas Markets
Christmas markets in numerous European cities are a hallmark of the festive season, but they also offer a fascinating case study:
- Sales of handcrafted items and decorations increase
- The use of lightweight and protective packaging grows
- Consumption of takeaway food and beverages intensifies
In this context, plastic plays a vital role by providing protection and maintaining hygiene. When disposed of properly, it boasts an impressive recyclability rate.
The issue, once again, is not the consumption of plastic but how items are discarded. When plastic is misplaced, even a single item can become unmanaged waste, whereas in recycling facilities, it becomes a resource.
Tourism and Waste: Navigating the Unexpected
In popular tourist destinations, the holiday season presents significant challenges for waste management. The reason is that visitors may be unaware of the local guidelines for waste separation.
This often results in three primary issues:
- An increase in foreign materials in waste bins
- A decrease in the overall quality of collected recyclables
- Greater complexity for sorting systems
For mechanical recycling facilities, the quality of collected materials is essential; even minor contamination can jeopardize large batches of material.
Not All Plastics Experience the Same Trends
During the Christmas period, we see a significant spike in demand for certain types of plastic, while others surprisingly decline.
Increase:
- PET for beverages consumed at lunches and dinners
- PP and PE for ready-made meals and deli snacks
- Films and protective wraps for gifts and transport
- Secondary packaging (especially in retail)
Decrease:
- Materials linked to work-life routines (such as lunch-break takeaway items)
- During festive gatherings, some single-use products are replaced with reusable alternatives.
These seasonal changes also impact recycling facilities, which must adjust incoming flows to maintain both quality and consistency.
The real surprise: the most diligent cities improve precisely in December
Data collected by consortia and local administrations reveal an interesting trend: cities with important communication efforts see an increase in correct waste sorting during December, even though the overall volume of waste rises.
During the holiday season, many local governments and consortia enhance their communication strategies regarding waste separation. They launch targeted campaigns to educate residents on how to manage the increase in packaging waste effectively. According to ANCI and CONAI, these initiatives can improve waste sorting quality when the message is clear, widespread, and simple for residents to implement in their daily lives.
The festive atmosphere supports this effort: people typically spend more time at home, pay closer attention to local information channels, and view waste sorting as a shared responsibility connected to caring for their homes and communities. This is not a strict rule, but a trend observed in various areas that shows that effective communication and community behaviour can align—especially during periods of heightened packaging waste.
The 2026 Challenge: Enhancing Material Identification
In many urban areas, the growing amount of packaging poses a significant challenge: accurately identifying materials beyond the colour of the recycling bin.
It is fundamental to understand that not all recyclable plastics are the same; they vary in polymer composition, intended uses, and levels of contamination.
A thorough understanding of these differences can help turn higher consumption into greater recovery rates, rather than adding to the waste problem.
What Christmas Teaches Us About Plastic Waste
Christmas is not just a time of increased consumption; it serves as a valuable lens through which we can examine our habits. Each year, it highlights how deeply our choice of materials is connected to our daily activities: cooking, traveling, sharing, gifting, and entertaining guests.
This period intensifies everything, including responsibilities. However, it also highlights the potential for improvement, emphasizing that the quality of collective behaviour—by citizens, shops, tourists, and businesses—can make a significant difference during the busiest times of the year.
It creates an extraordinary ecosystem that functions best when everyone does their part.
As we approach the new year, one wish stands out above all others: to continue transforming what we consume into something that can be reused, shifting our mindset from viewing waste as a problem to seeing it as a valuable resource.
Let’s embrace circularity as a lasting choice that carries us well into 2026 and beyond.