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Around 30% more waste is generated at this time of the year. This includes more than 1 billion Christmas cards that are thrown away each year. The Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs estimates that around 50,000 trees are cut down each year to make enough paper to wrap presents. Also, about 12 million tonnes of plastic enter our environment every year, which is equivalent to a bin lorry load every minute.
By following the simple steps outlined by the Environment Agency below we can make sure Christmas isn’t wasted this year.
1. Advent Calendar
Invest in a reusable advent calendar and fill it with a variety of gifts. Why not get creative and make your own reusable advent calendar and items to fill it.
2. Cards
An estimated 1 billion Christmas cards are thrown away every year. The equivalent of 33 million trees would be needed to make a card of that amount.
Try recyclable cards printed on FSC-certified, recycled card. Better yet, go for the personal touch and make your own from recycled cards. Remember that like wrapping paper, cards decorated with glitter or foil cannot be recycled.
3. Christmas wreath
Wreaths are beautiful Christmas decorations, but some are more environmentally friendly than others. Go for real, fresh wreaths made using seasonal, natural foliage and decorations. Even better, make your own from natural resources like leaves and pinecones from your garden.
4. Christmas tree
An artificial Christmas tree needs to be used for about 10 years so its environmental impact is lower than a real tree. Trees, forests and woodlands are critical to combating the climate crisis. Buying your real Christmas tree certified by a Grown in Britain supplier* will ensure that the tree you buy is from a legal and sustainable UK source.
5. Christmas lights
500 tonnes of Christmas lights are released in the UK each year. Switch to using LED lights on your Christmas tree – you’ll use less energy but make sure you turn them off at night!
6. Decoration
Avoid using single use decorations. Why not get crafty and make some homemade decorations instead.
7. Reusable shopping bags
Don’t forget to take your bag of a lifetime when you’re out shopping!
8. Gifts – Make and sell
Homemade gifts are unique and personal and not only show thoughtfulness but can also be inexpensive. You can make preserves, jam, or make a pair of socks or scarves!
9. Gifts – Toys
Have you thought about buying select toys or a toy subscription? How about buying wooden toys over plastic.
10. Gift – experiences
You can make a gift of membership to a charity or wildlife trust, to support important environmental work, such as the National Trust or the Woodland Trust.
11. Gift – Echo
Why not give eco friendly gifts to family and friends.
It could be something like a reusable coffee cup, reusable makeup remover wipes, or a solid shampoo bar to help others make sustainable lifestyle choices.
12. Gift wrap
Use recyclable wrapping paper where possible. Remember that if it has foil or glitter on it, it cannot be recycled and may contain plastic.
Or why not use old newspaper to wrap presents or even recycle last year’s paper.
13. Surrender
Instead of adding plastic ribbon to your gifts that will end up in a landfill, why not use a more sustainable option like a fabric bow that can be kept on future gifts and reused.
14. Christmas party wear
Every year, around 336,000 tonnes of used clothes are thrown away by people living in the UK. This year, choose the sustainable option and try to refashion clothes you already own or visit second-hand shops.
15. Glitz and glam
Did you know that cosmetic and sanitary wipes contribute to 93% of drain blockages in the UK? Once flushed down the toilet, wipes can get caught in the piping and accumulate, forming deposits with fatbergs. They can litter beaches and even form large, messy mounds along riverbeds.
If you use make-up wipes this Christmas, remember to never flush them!
16. Box on Christmas Eve
Invest in a Christmas Eve reusable box that can be used for years to come, maybe even become a family heirloom! Be creative and make your own reusable box and items to fill it.
17. Christmas tour
Try to use public transport whenever possible when visiting family and friends this year. If this is not possible, try car sharing. This will help reduce emissions, wear and tear on the vehicle but also save you money.
18. Candles
If you are using candles as part of your festive celebrations this year, please remember to purchase candles made from,
- Soy wax, beeswax, coconut wax or rapeseed wax
- Scented with essential oils
- Cotton, linen or wooden wicks
All these candles are kind to the environment as they are less toxic.
19. Christmas crackers
Unfortunately, most Christmas crackers are often glitter which means they are not recyclable. They are filled with plastic toys and gifts that are quickly thrown away.
Why not make your own Christmas crackers without the environmental cost. Using FSC-certified, recyclable paper and recyclable paper ties. Filling crackers with small gifts for each person.
Christmas crackers are available to buy that use FSC-certified, recycled paper and the contents are also sustainable.
20. Festive food shopping
Try to buy as many things as possible from local suppliers, such as your meat, fruit and vegetables. Buy your vegetables loose where possible, as plastic packaging accounts for around 70% of the UK’s plastic waste.
Plan and be realistic about how much food you need and use leftovers where possible.
Instead of clingfilm, use reusable containers/covers and wax cloth covers to keep your leftovers fresh.
21. Christmas dinner
When it comes to cooking Christmas dinner and other festive treats, there are some simple but important ways we can protect the environment.
Pouring leftover cooking fat down the sink can harden cold pipes. Allow to cool instead, then place in food waste or bin. Don’t feed the festive fatberg this Christmas.
22. A festive drink
We use over 35 million plastic bottles every day, so when you buy drinks for the festive season, please buy products that can be reused/recycled.
23. Christmas Walk
Instead of a Christmas drive or just plopping down in front of the TV, why not go out for a Christmas walk?
If you swap an hour of TV for a walk you can save 170g CO2e.
Being in a green space has been shown to be good for your physical and mental health. Make sure you follow the Countryside Code** which tells you how to get out and enjoy green spaces while respecting wildlife and other people.
24. Unsolicited gifts
Almost £4 billion is spent on unwanted gifts. That’s over 60 million unwanted gifts every year!
If you receive a gift that you won’t use, there are several things you can do instead of throwing it away.
You can donate the item to charity, sell the item, or host a charity sale for unwanted gifts. Remember 1 person’s trash is another person’s treasure.
Background
*Grown in Britain suppliers: These suppliers are guaranteed against our standards, which means you can be sure their products are from legal and sustainable UK sources in accordance with the UK Government’s Timber Procurement Policy and the UK Forestry Standard. – Grown in Britain – Search our database of GB UK certified timber suppliers.
**Countryside Code Link The Countryside Code
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