Crate Party Australia

30/04/2023

First on the invite list…

Behind a plate crate of course! 😜

I base my parties on reducing waste; location, catering, activities, party favours - all of it takes into consideration what could/would happen to any waste created when consumed/used.

At my recent Mr 4’s kindy friend party, I was asked if there was a bin for the fruit plate scraps…. enter one (or both) of these guys.

My chooks and my dog enjoy the party food as much as the kids do. 🥳

I’ve said before, it’s my responsibility for the waste I create in choosing to host a party, it’s not my party guest’s burden to manage that waste.

Also, hi… yes, I’m still here. I’ve given up apologising for my slack social media presence, it’s who and how I am 🤦🏻‍♀️
BUT if you have a need for any of our products or services I’ll respond to DM’s much more promptly than I do up general content 😆

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23/12/2022

If you are stuck for tableware for your Christmas picnics or kids table get in touch, there are still a couple of crate options available as well as drinks dispensers, wine buckets, cake stands platters and more!

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17/11/2022

Reusable Party Kits are becoming more and more common, I first used one 3 years ago when my eldest turned 4 and couldn’t get over what a great initiative it was.

There are so many around the traps now, so add looking up your local area providers on the Party Kit Network website (https://www.partykitnetwork.org/australia) to the party planning list… and if you are an Albany local, feel free to contact Crate Party direct!

Children's birthday parties are often rife with single-use products, but Melbourne mum Erin has found an innovative new way to cut down on waste — by loaning out party kits.

08/11/2022

Low Waste Beverage🍹

At the recent WA Small Business Day Expo held at Albany Business Centre, I wanted to create a low waste drink to entice punters to my stall. I used my drinks jars and had the cups from a party crate for all to use…. I promised to do the dishes!

My aim was to use something readily available, with no specialist ingredients or dedicated store trips.

Luckily my in laws lime tree is prolific and I was able to help myself to the fruit, so that became the basis of my idea.

From there it was finding a simple recipe, meaning few ingredients and even less steps! The one I found was perfect in its simplicity (https://www.bestrecipes.com.au/recipes/lime-cordial/o11rqmg3)

2 cups lime juice
1 tsp lime rind
1 cup sugar*
Bring it to the boil in a pot, simmer until the sugar is dissolved, cool and bottle - that’s it!

On the day I mixed it with carbonated water from my home soda stream, threw in some lime slices and mint leaves from my garden and voilà, low waste lime fizz! 🫧

The only thing to go into the (fogo) bin was the spent lime peels/slices, and mint leaves. A small load of dishes and not a piece of disposable plastic in sight!!

I’m already planning on recreating this as a more adult beverage very soon! 🍸

* I did add more sugar syrup on the day to appeal to the masses after the hub advised it was too tart… I think general consensus is that he was wrong! 😆



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30/10/2022

I had so much fun yesterday at the WA Small Business Day Expo and the official reveal of the Albany Business Centres recent renovations.

I chatted to so many clever people with so many amazing products and services on offer right here in our back yard! I’d like to think I did my bit for the small business economy, I came home with some lovely things and ate some phenomenal food 🤤

The main thing for me was to get out of my comfort zone and while it was daunting and I had been super anxious all week I’m so glad I did it!

Hopefully I managed to spread the low waste conversation a little further too. 🤞🏻

My lunch care of 🥟
My afternoon tea care of 🍪

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20/10/2022

I’ve been super quiet on socials of late (which is saying something, given I’m already pretty ordinary at it), I’ve been deep in my own little pity party while dealing with a long term injury and I’ve not felt like myself for some time.

BUT I’m out the other side now, the weather is on the up and I’m getting back out there!! So I’m throwing myself right in the deep end by hosting a little stall at the Albany Business Centre’s upcoming WA Small Business Day Expo, so come down and support your local businesses from the Great Southern plus see the newly redeveloped centre!

FREE Entry
45+ local businesses including: creatives, wellness, retail, business services, employment PLUS food and coffee vans!

Hope to see you at the Albany Business Centre - Sat 29th Oct - 10am-2pm

23/06/2022

Only a week to go!

Bring on July 1 when this single use plastic ban comes into place. Let this be the reason to change our habits and think how we can take even more steps for the environment.

There will always be loop holes and work arounds, but let’s not simply replace one waste product with another… even if it is deemed more environmentally friendly, because waste is still waste so look for the options to either go without, or go reusable!

Remember - progress over perfection.

Crate Party Australia has party tableware, cake stands, drinks dispensers and more to help you have an awesome - and lower waste - party, so send a DM today!

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15/06/2022

My main waste focus - in everyday life but especially when hosting a party - is to be responsible for the waste I’ve chosen to produce… meaning not passing the problem onto someone else.

I’m conscious about what our party guests will be taking home with them…. yep, I’m going there - PARTY/LOOT BAGS!

It would be simple to ditch the party bags all together, and while that is a goal of mine, my kids are little and the nostalgia from my own childhood feeds into wanting to provide a little something for our treasured guests.

My party bag formula is simple - sugar (obviously!) and an activity - with a focus on items that can either be used up, recycled or will biodegrade safely (think cardboard/paper).

If I’m using bags - they are paper based.

Sugar - I use local weigh and pay options where I can use my own bag/container. If that isn’t an option, larger bags of lollies (not individually plastic wrapped) shared out, leaving only the main bag to be recycled by ME. 🍬 🍭 🍫

Activities - some I’ve used recently:

🌈 Chalk - bought bulk in a cardboard box and portioned out
🌻 Flower seeds
✍️ Wooden Pencils
⭐️Paper based stickers
🧩Small cardboard puzzles

I was a bit smug last year, having found cardboard puzzles, but later discovered the pieces were packaged in a plastic bag inside the cardboard box. 😔
So while I was disappointed, I know for next time to be even more vigilant when purchasing.

Is it perfect? No.
Is it a start? Yes.
Will I continue to work on reducing waste further? Absolutely.

Set yourself the challenge, choose one thing and work to make it as low waste as possible within your personal constraints.

And don’t forget - Crate Party has the tableware sorted so that’s one lower waste item ticked off the party to do list! 👍🏻

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11/06/2022

31/05/2022

The waste overwhelm is definitely real for me.
If I try to make all the changes at once, I will fail.
It’s a balance between working toward reducing my waste and my mental/emotional well-being. 🤯

I keep this 2019 quote from Anne Marie Bonneau at the forefront of my mind when overwhelm creeps in.

But, low waste parties are generally a little more work - I’m not going to hide from that fact:

- brainstorming/research,
- scouting missions to see what is around and available,
- frequenting stores time and time again before you decide/commit,
- making from scratch (and the subsequent dishes and mess)
- lots of diy.

Then there are other limitations such as time, budget constraints, local availability and stock issues etc etc.

I would encourage you to pick just one thing you’d like to be your lower waste focus, because starting somewhere is better than not starting at all.

My next post will be about one aspect of kids parties that has the potential to generate a lot of waste - party bags!

Keep an eye out for that and I’d love to hear any low/zero waste party wisdom from you all! 🙏🏻

Send a DM if you think we can help you with your low waste party needs!

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04/05/2022

May the 4th be with you!! 💫 💫 💫

I’ve been waiting months to share this one, a Star Wars party from back in January… using our backdrop frame and black curtain.

I don’t suppose Darth, Chewy and Luke would particularly align with a rainbow plate crate, so a pick and mix of the grey and white were in order.
I understand it looked even better in the evening! ✨ ✨✨

Send a DM if you’d like to know how we can help you have an awesome - and lower waste - party!

**banner, tablecloth & masks provided by client**

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13/04/2022

Rainy Days…. 🌧 🌧🌧

It seems like so long ago that this rainbow plate crate went out to celebrate a little Bluey fans birthday on a warm Saturday morning, but it was only a mere 10 days ago!

I’m slowly building a stock of tablecloths such as the one pictured here, so reach out to see if we can help you have an awesome - and lower waste - party!

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03/04/2022

I’ve done some quick math, and given current resources in Albany you can get 24 places of disposable (not plastic, thankfully!) tableware for $13. That’s at best, and pending stock being available in store.

One use, and $13 literally goes in the bin - what a waste of resources and money!

And don’t get me started on all the random odds and ends of disposable tableware that ends up in the back of a drawer or cupboard for ‘next time’ only to be eventually thrown out unused when the cupboard clean out happens.

Instead, you could hire a plate crate containing 30 places (consisting of picnic plate, bowl, cup and 3 piece cutlery set) for only $15, with the hire extending from Fri- Mon… that could cover 8 main meals, more if you consider all the morning & arvo tea, second breakfasts and snacks etc that kid life entails 😆

Yes, it means dishes but there are so many benefits to just one extra load of dishes:

- no single use items ending up in land fill,
- You’re not literally putting money into the rubbish bin,
- Our super cute colours look better in your photos and can be pick and mixed to suit a theme,
- Our plates are strong, there’s no bending when loaded generously with party goodies,
- Creates the opportunity to generate conversations about waste and waste reduction
- Supporting a local small business!

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13/03/2022

Hi there! 👋 Sorry it’s been a while… Ive had a busy few weeks.

I was lucky enough to head out of town to Denmark recently to celebrate my sisters 40th Birthday with the whole fam, and given she had organised EVERYTHING, we decided to surprise her by setting up a photo backdrop/board, using our photography stand and tulle curtains, along with a stunning dried floral wreath for her to keep (thank you ), a very large 4 & 0 to remember the occasion 😆 (thank you ), and lots of photo memories to reminisce over.

In regard to Crate Party, I’ve got SO much content in my head, I really need some time and space to get it all down on paper.

Upcoming low waste topics are:

- party activities
- decorations and decor
- food/catering
- party bags

What particular thing gets you anxious in regard to kids parties and the associated waste?

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09/02/2022

The ‘launch party’… or at least it was meant to be! 😆

I’d planned my sons shark themed 6th birthday party in November 2021 to be Crate Party Australia’s kick off.

I had it planned meticulously, pick and mixed the perfect crate plate, set up the drink dispensers, food laid out, activities planned and decor just as I’d hoped.

Only thing is I was too busy and distracted to take any pictures of the set up! 😣

There are lovely pictures of the day, the kids and party action of course, but none of use to showcase Crate Party…

Other than the crate I used, pictured here… blues, whites and grey to follow the shark theme. 🦈 🦈🦈

A pic also of the birthday cake as I’m sure it’s more interesting than the one of just empty plates and cups…

Main thing is birthday boy and guests had a great time, and I achieved my personal goal of a low waste party. More on how I achieved that to come!

02/02/2022

Construction Zone! 🚧 🦺 🏗 🚨
A fun set up for a little guy’s second birthday recently. This client made the most of a pick and mix crate to align with the party theme.
I understand that the crate was also used for a fish and chips picnic the next day - thats two uses from just one hire!

Send a DM today to see if we can help with your little ones celebrations!

*toys, balloons and construction tape all provided by the client*

20/01/2022

For those of you wondering how my first kit came together for a lovely little party scene, see the set up picture below! Our backdrop stand with tulle curtains is so effective, and I believe the birthday girl had an awesome party which is most important! 😊

*balloons, bunting and pom poms provided by client*

20/01/2022

Here is a little more info with the basic premise of Crate Party Australia. Send a DM with any queries and we will be happy to help!

20/01/2022

05/01/2022

Hey Everyone and Happy New Year!
I just wanted to say thank you to all those that have liked/followed this page, given I nearly talked myself out of it the response has been amazing.
Although, creating the page less than a fortnight before Christmas was not one of my brightest ideas so apologies that I then ditched for the festive period. I'm now finally ready to start giving you all some more information about the services we provide... but first, a little about me.

I'm a mum of two young boys, I was raised here in Albany and recently returned after 15 years away. In the last few years, I've become more mindful of reducing waste and being responsible for the waste that I create.
This is an ongoing process and one which I am constantly learning about, so by no means do I claim to be perfect at low/zero waste - it can be complicated and confusing! The overwhelm is real and so I decided to work with what I can 'easily' control.

Where I have started is to challenge myself on the day to day stuff, and one of those regular, large volume waste creators are kids parties. So here we are, with Crate Party! I realised that what I was looking for here in Albany is a gap that I could fill.

Anyway, this post is now longer than I anticipated, but I'd love for you to join me any time with any suggestions of low waste ideas and even use this platform as a way to solve waste problems - I'm always happy to learn more and get others perspectives.

Keep an eye out for more updates in the coming days as I get product photos uploaded and if you have any queries, please don't hesitate to shoot through a DM.

Picture below is my very first kit going out yesterday for a special little girls first birthday! I'll share some set up pics later.

16/12/2021

16/12/2021

16/12/2021

16/12/2021