Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year, and also the most wasteful time too. Up to 70% of our waste can be recycled or reused, yet over 114,000 tonnes of plastic packaging is thrown into the general waste bin – that’s equivalent to approximately 650,000 reindeer!
From mountains of wrapping paper to piles of single-use packaging, the holiday season takes a significant toll on the environment. But it doesn't have to be that way! Here are a few ways to make your Christmas a lot greener.
1. Water Bottles & Coffee Cups
Every day, millions of single-use bottles and coffee cups are discarded, with an estimated 300 million plastic cups and straws projected to be used during Christmas. This significantly contributes to the issue of plastic pollution.
Individuals, businesses, and venues should all make the swap to reusables and adapt reusable systems to minimise reliance on single-use. They make excellent gifts and can be chosen to match the recipient’s personality.
If you are a business or venue, use up your single-use cups and look for reusable products to begin using in the new year. Why not give the gift of reusability to your employees with branded reusable bottles and coffee cups?
2. Food Containers
Over Christmas, the UK generates a large amount of food waste, which equates to 5 million Christmas puddings! Additionally, there is an increase in people ordering takeaways across the busy festive period.
Minimise your food waste this Christmas by storing leftovers in reusable containers. If you’re heading out for food and have some leftovers, ask if you can take it home to eat at a later date.
Takeaway places can implement a reusable container scheme where they swap single-use for reusables and incentivise customers to return the containers or schedule a collection service.
3. Napkins
Single-use napkins contribute to deforestation and landfill waste because they are thrown away after just one use, unlike reusable cloth napkins. Using cloth napkins offers a practical alternative that also enhances the dining experience.
Acquire a set of cloth napkins and keep them in a convenient location. These napkins can be used for everyday meals, as well as for events and parties. Businesses might consider investing in their own set or renting from another company. This simple swap is an effective way to make a positive impact.
4. Bags
With so much shopping to do in the lead-up to Christmas, it's time to get the bags out! In the UK, there has been a charge on single-use bags since 2015 which has successfully seen a drop in single-use bag selling rates – 97% decrease in single-use carrier bag purchases since 2014.
Know someone who doesn’t use a reusable carrier bag (also known as a “tote bag”), why not gift them a reusable bag? With a wide variety of designs available, you can find one that appeals to their personality and interests, encouraging them to use it more often.
5. Decorations
Embrace sustainable and eco-friendly decorations that will last years and can even be a family heirloom, adding a sentimental touch to your decorations. You can reduce your environmental impact by choosing reusable decorations to create a more meaningful holiday season.
Personalise your space with custom, DIY decorations that add a bit of fun and charm to the room – turn this into a fun activity with friends and family. If you decide to buy decorations, investing in high-quality, durable decorations means you'll enjoy them for years to come, making them a more sustainable choice in the long run.
6. Hygiene Products
Shampoo, body wash, soaps and more are popular gifts to give at Christmas, often being available as a gift set. Sustainable hygiene products don’t cost the Earth and can inspire people to think more about how their actions impact the environment.
A few eco-friendly gift ideas are:
Shampoo and conditioner bars
Reusable makeup remover wipes/pads
Reusable toothbrush
Refillable bottles for skincare
Natural bars of soap
There is a large variety of eco-friendly products out there that contain natural ingredients that are gentle on the skin and have more benefits. Eco-friendly gifts are often unique and thoughtful, and can sometimes be personalised if you purchase from a small/local company.
7. Cards
Did you know that around 1 billion Christmas cards are discarded annually? It takes 1 tree to make 3,000 Christmas cards, which means that a whopping 33 million trees are used annually on Christmas cards.
There are many alternatives to sending a Christmas card such as personalised video messages, charity eCards, and social media channels. Technology makes being sustainable easier by reducing waste generated from single-use materials.
If you do decide to buy Christmas cards, buy cards that are printed on FSC-certified card that can be recycled – meaning no glitter, ribbon or any other decorations as these cannot be recycled.
8. Christmas Crackers
A well-known tradition and table decoration, Christmas Crackers, are not recyclable and generate different types of waste, from foil and glitter to toys. Although they are a lot of fun to pull, they are all thrown into a bin along with other waste, including the gifts that were inside. Look out for crackers that do not contain glitter, foil or plastic so that they can be recycled.
Why not try an alternative to crackers? A small gift that your guests can treasure is sustainable and helps the environment. Gifts can range from a small, sweet treat, to a personalised glass that they can use on the day and in the future.
9. Christmas Outfits
How many times do you wear your Christmas jumper? In the UK, 1 in 5 Christmas jumpers are worn once across the festive period. Each year, people buy new outfits and jumpers to wear across the Christmas period, however, they often end up in the bin or not even worn!
But it doesn’t have to be this way! If you’re feeling your festive clothing, why not donate it or swap it with a friend or family member? You can even create an event in the workplace to encourage swapping and reusing outfits.
10. Gift Wrap
Wrapping paper, gift bags, tags, ribbons and bows – making presents look aesthetically pleasing and keeping people guessing what’s inside. But combined, they have a different kind of impact on the planet.
When choosing your wrap, ensure that what you are using is recyclable. Any paper or accessories that contain glitter or a foil film will not be able to be recycled. With the increase in environmental awareness, there has been an increase in eco-friendly gift wraps available to choose from.
Time to Make Christmas Green!
To ensure you are being as sustainable as possible, if you receive your presents in a bag or a box, save it so that you can use it next year.
By making conscious choices about our Christmas choices, we can significantly reduce our environmental impact and contribute to a more sustainable future. Remember, small actions can lead to big changes. Let's embrace the spirit of Christmas while minimising our waste.
So, this year, let's make our holiday celebrations not just merry and bright, but also green and sustainable. Merry Christmas!
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