Top tips for a more sustainable Christmas

  • Thursday, November 28, 2024
  • Posted By The Growth Company

As the festive season approaches, it's the perfect time to embrace the spirit of giving while also being mindful of waste and sustainability.

From thoughtful gift-giving to eco-friendly decorations, there are countless ways to make your holiday season more sustainable.

Here are some tips to help you have a green Christmas:

Gifts

  1. Quality over quantity: Opt to give fewer, higher-quality gifts that will last longer and be truly appreciated.
  2. Experiences over things: Consider giving experiences, like concert tickets, cooking classes, or a day out, which create memories without the physical waste.
  3. Wrap sustainably: Use fabric wraps, reusable gift bags, or even scarves to wrap presents, you can also reuse old maps, newspapers, or children's artwork. But if you prefer the look of traditional wrapping paper, choose ones made from recycled materials and avoid those with glitter or foil as they cannot be recycled.
  4. Thoughtful cards: Send electronic cards to reduce paper waste, or if you prefer physical cards, choose ones made from recycled materials and avoid those with glitter.

Decorations

  1. Real trees vs. artificial: If you choose a real tree, make sure it's from a sustainable source and consider how you'll dispose of it (e.g., composting). If you prefer an artificial tree, use it for as many years as possible.
  2. Reuse decorations: Bring out decorations from previous years to reduce waste and save money, if you’re buying new, invest in better quality decorations that will last longer or more sustainable decorations such as wooden or paper.
  3. LED lights: Switch to LED Christmas lights, which use less energy and last longer.
  4. Natural decor: Use natural materials like pinecones, holly, and dried oranges for decorations. They look beautiful and can be composted afterwards.

Food

  1. Local and seasonal: Plan your Christmas meals around local and seasonal produce to reduce your carbon footprint, while also supporting local businesses.
  2. Reduce food waste: Be mindful of portion sizes and get creative with leftovers to minimise waste, for example sandwiches, soups, or casseroles.
  3. Sustainable chocolate: Choose chocolate that is Fairtrade, Rainforest Alliance, or UTZ certified to ensure ethical and eco-friendly production.
  4. More veggie options: Incorporate more vegetarian dishes into your Christmas dinner, such as a vegetable wellington. If you normally have multiple meats, you could replace one with a vegetarian option instead.

By incorporating some of these tips, you can enjoy a festive and joyful Christmas while also caring for the planet, even a small change will make a big impact.

Do you have any more tips? Let us know by emailing communications@growthco.uk