Christmas is fast approaching and for many of us, it’s the most magical time of year but there’s no denying that it can generate quite a lot of waste too. If you’re looking for ways to protect the planet this festive season, here are a few ways to cut down on the excess this year and make your Christmas as eco-friendly as possible.
Experiences Over Gifts
Where possible, gift your loved ones’ experiences this year, rather than physical presents. This could be anything from concert tickets to a spa day or a once-in-a-lifetime experience like riding in a hot air balloon or driving in a Formula One car. Giving an experience rather than a traditional gift means they’ll never forget what you gave them and it reduces the overwhelming demand for physical resources.
Don’t Forget the Wrapping
To reduce waste this Christmas, think about how you wrap your gifts. If you’re using wrapping paper be sure that it comes from a sustainable source and can be recycled after use. Wrapping paper that is plastic-based or contains glitter or foil can’t be recycled. You could also think of alternative ways to wrap gifts, for example using fabric tied with string or ribbons, which can then be reused year after year.
Go LED
Choosing LED Christmas lights for your tree or using LED lights to decorate your windows is a more eco-friendly option as they use less energy while still giving that wonderful festive glow. Remember to switch your lights off when you go out and overnight too. Not only will this reduce your energy consumption over the festive period and reduce your electricity bill but it’s also a safer option.
Quality Over Quantity
A great way to reduce your impact on the planet this Christmas is to gift less overall and to choose gifts that are of better quality. This will use fewer resources and also means your gifts are more likely to be appreciated and stand the test of time. Resist the temptation to buy novelty gifts as these are often the first things to break or be thrown away. If you personally receive a gift you don’t want, consider regifting it or donating it to charity rather than chucking it away.
Use Seasonal Ingredients
Eating seasonal food reduces the energy consumption that is required to grow many fruits and vegetables, such as tomatoes out of season. It also encourages you to buy food locally, reducing the carbon emissions needed to transport food long distances.
Shop Local
Shopping locally this Christmas is a great way to help the environment. Walking around local shops rather than driving to do your Christmas shopping, lowers carbon emissions and reduces your own carbon footprint. It also means you’ll order fewer items online that may need to be transported long distances – possibly even overseas.
