By Beds SU
Wednesday, 30 November 2022
"Every pound we spend is a vote for the world we want to create" - WWF
Creating a sustainable Christmas is easier you than think from gifts, wrapping, the food on your table and party outfits.
Below is our short guide to each of these areas with reference to tips from the WWF, Skintdad, Brightzine and BBC Good Food. So go be creative and enjoy giving a little back to our planet this Christmas.
Gifts:
Gifting an experience enables you enjoy a shared experience with an individual or group. Afterall, for so many of us, especially post pandemic, time with friends and loved ones is so precious. Why not also consider cooking a meal together, going for a walk or attending an event.
If you are looking at giving physical gifts, look for items that are made from recycled materials or go second hand or vintage, you can find some amazing items that have been preloved or are unique and unusual. You could event make something yourself, there are lovely ideas here. Or why not come along to our festive crafting events.
Buy local, support small businesses and especially those that have a focus on being sustainable from selling items in reduced or no packaging, or are offered in recyclable packaging.
Cards and Wrapping
One of the key culprits this time of year is wrapping paper and cards. There is an increasing move towards more sustainable products that are inexpensive. If you are purchasing wrapping and cards, consider those made from recycled or FSC-certified paper. Swap bows and plastic ribbon for string and fabric ribbons that can be reused and get creative and use brown paper for wrapping, get an ink stamp or two to create your own design. Old Christmas cards make for perfect tags too!
Lights, Decorations, and tree!
It’s hard not to love fairy lights this time of year and for those who are looking to adorn the tree or house with festive lights consider using LED lights. They use less energy and last longer!
If you are looking to save pennies on decorations, why not consider making your own or upcycle old ones by adding a new ribbon, thread. You could even use orange slices, holly, and cinnamon sticks to create the smell of Christmas. Visit Skintdad or Twinkl for some great DIY decoration inspiration.
Whether you choose an artificial or real tree there are benefits to both. For artificial trees the WWF recommend using it for a minimum of 10 years to offset the impact on the planet in terms of disposing of it. For real trees, most local councils will now offer a collection service post-Christmas as part of your green waste collection. Check your local council site for more details or how best to recycle. If you can, consider a potted tree that can use year after year.
You may choose to decorate a plant you already have or craft your own tree. There are some great ideas here.
All that glitters isn’t good for the environment
As party season arrives so does the volume sequins and glitter. Plastic sequins can take approximately a thousand years to degrade and often have a harmful impact on nature and even humans due to the microplastics, according to Brightzine. Alternative, more eco-friendly versions are being explored, but no safe option for our planet has been developed. So, if you are looking to add a little sparkle to your festive outfit or around your home, consider outfits you have vs. new clothes, shop vintage, or opt for outfits not adorned in shiny bits of plastic.
Festive food
Christmas accounts for a huge portion of the UK’s annual food waste, with a 7 million tonnes being created at Christmas alone according to commercial wate trade. To play your part in reducing this, consider buying seasonal, be realistic about how much you need and plan each meal. Look for creative leftover recipes to make dishes up that can be frozen and enjoyed later.BBC Good Foodhas a wealth of suggestions.