Deck the halls with boughs of…anything eco-friendly? In this festive time of gather and cheer, we sure do a lot of shopping, wrapping and cooking – all of which require a vast array of materials.
Small changes to our means of celebration can make all the difference in reducing our environmental footprint during the holidays. From shopping smart, to thinking about traceability – here are a few tips to help you have a merrier and eco-friendly Christmas…
Avoid One-Use Plates And Cutlery
Look, I know the temptation to avoid all that time washing up after a Christmas lunch-extravaganza is tough, but think of the planet. Just because your plates are made of paper, doesn’t mean they can be recycled – the food will stain them, making them unsuitable for recycling plants and they end up in the landfill.
Look For Re-Usable Or Recyclable Wrapping Paper
A great substitute to printed wrapping paper (most of which cannot be recycled), is brown paper (or even brown paper bags) and newspapers. It might sound a bit obscure, but these 2 materials, with the right complementary decorations, can make your presents look more aesthetic and ‘on trend’ than you may think.
Limit Food Waste And Compost Leftovers
Do your bit for Mother Nature and consider all the food scraps that get chucked into the bin at Christmastime (although you should be composting all year round).
Sending Forest-Friendly Christmas Cards
I know some of us don’t write Christmas cards anymore, but you can still send your season’s greetings without costing the planet. Cards with the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) mark guarantees the paper has been produced sustainably. You can also re-use certain Christmas cards and transform them into decorations for the following year!
Switch To LED Christmas Lights
LEDs are way more eco-friendly than the traditional twinkling lights, they use up to 80% less energy…You can also switch to solar-powered lights outdoors. You’ll be helping both the environment and your electricity bills!
Rethink Your Decorations
Ditch the tinsel and look for ornaments made out of glass, brass or wood (and you can even try buying them from smaller and more ethical companies). You can even make your own, or forage for pine cones!
Invest In A Reusable Advent Calendar
Think of all that packaging that goes to waste just to open a piece of chocolate or a small gift… Instead, try setting a budget and plan with your friends to exchange reusable advent calendars and fill them up with some surprising goodies!
