The holiday season is just beginning and people and preparations are in full swing in my house, but while it is, in my opinion, the most wonderful time of year, it is not the most environmentally friendly. The festive season is generally the peak period of consumption, with food, presents and energy consumption. So here are some ways you can be a little more eco-conscious while still having a merry Christmas.
First off, choosing a present. There are some important factors to think about when getting a gift. Firstly, will it last? Presents that are bought last minute usually aren't thought through and can end up being thrown away or sitting somewhere unused, so this year try to plan ahead and think of something that the person will really want. Secondly, is it sustainable? It is important to try to get your gifts from local and sustainable brands. Especially during these times where lots of businesses' are struggling, supporting small businesses is extremely important. Last, in your thinking process and gift giving process, wrapping paper. On average, Brits use around 227,000 miles of wrapping paper and most of the time it can't be recycled according to Cut the Wrap. Try to switch to eco-friendly wrapping paper this year.
Next, Christmas cards. Everyone loves getting Christmas cards but they are very wasteful and often just thrown away. This year why not send e-Christmas cards of buy Christmas cards from charity's that focus on sustainability.
Lastly, your Christmas dinner. The meat and dairy industry is responsible for more emissions than all the world's planes, trains, cars and boats put together. So why not try to reduce your consumption this Christmas? Trade some of the meat for plant-based options and add more vegetables in to your Christmas feast. Tesco's for example makes a no-turkey roast option at affordable pricing. It's unlikely most people will want to cut out meat completely this Christmas but making a couple small replacements can make a huge difference. Try to cut down on your food waste as well. If you end up over-catering, don't just throw away the leftovers. Transforming leftovers can be a great way to create new meals, save money and cut waste.
I hope this gave you some ideas and you have a merry Christmas!
