Top tips for a sustainable Christmas
Whilst Christmas may be "the most wonderful time of the year" for many, and is a time to take a well-deserved break and reconnect with family, it is also the most wasteful, producing an estimated extra 3 million tonnes of waste per year in the UK.
With the festivities in full swing on campus and across the rest of the city, it can be challenging to know how to minimise waste this holiday season. Luckily, we have 7 top tips to help you:
Dec(orate) the halls!
O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree...
Before purchasing a Christmas tree this year, consider if you really need one. Your existing indoor plants could look just as stunning dressed up with a few fairy lights and decorations! However, if you do decide to have a Christmas tree this year, there are 3 main options: a potted, artificial or FSC certified tree.
If you have the space, buying a potted tree, and reusing it year on year is the best way to mitigate excess waste. You can keep it outdoors during 11 months of the year, and keeping it in a pot stops the tree from impacting any native species or causing any environmental damage.
If you plan on purchasing, or already have an plastic tree, make to keep using it for at least 10 years, so that it has a lower carbon impact than buying an authentic one!
Finally, if none of the options above are viable, and you want an authentic, non-potted tree, make sure you buy your tree from a FSC-certified, sustainably managed forest. When disposing of your authentic tree in the new year, never plant or leave your tree in the wild, as this can harm native species and environments. Instead, research local recycling options or sustainable collection services, such as Sue Ryder Christmas Tree-cycling locally.
Merry Craft-mas!
Whether you possess artistic ability or not, making new decorations with materials you already own is a great way to reduce waste, and also spend quality time with friends and family. Why not go out on a seasonal walk, collect some branches, holly and pine cones, and see what you can create?
Make sure to continue using any decorations you already own too! Not only will you save money, you will also avoid contributing to the millions of tonnes of waste produced every year in the UK.
Dreaming of a Bright Christmas?
After following the university's shutdown procedure, make sure not to put your energy-saving efforts to waste at home! When choosing lights for your house, make sure to use LEDs, which both use less energy and last longer. You also don't need to have your lights on 24/7, having them on only during waking hours when it's dark enough to see them is a great way to save energy at home!
Before putting presents underneath the tree…
Think about alternative gifting options
Rather than buying a plethora of physical gifts, why not opt for gifting options which reduce unnecessary emissions and waste, as well as excess stress and spending? Gifting experiences, such as a crafting workshop, theatre tickets or a planned day trip will not only create lasting memories, but also significantly reduce waste caused by purchasing unnecessary gifts.
Consider where you buy them from
Avoid shopping online or from big corporate giants! Shopping at small businesses greatly decreases your carbon impact, and also helps to support the local economy. Alternatively, you could try shopping second hand, reducing the amount of new materials and emissions needed to create new products. Try scouring your local charity shops to see what hidden gems you can find!
Wrap them sustainably
Instead of using rolls upon rolls of wrapping paper (& unrecyclable tape) this year, try out some reusable wrapping techniques instead! Think about what you already have, do you have any gift bags or ribbons saved from previous years? You could even use spare bits of fabric, old scarves or tea towels tied with ribbon if you're feeling creative. If you are planning on using wrapping paper, make sure to avoid foil & glitter paper that you can't recycle!
Festive Food
Reduce Wastage
Annually, around 230 thousand tonnes of food are binned in the UK over Christmas. Instead of buying more food throughout December and January, keep a hold of your leftovers from big meals, and you will have plenty to use in different dishes throughout January! If you're struggling to think of any potential leftover dishes, check out BBC Goodfood's Christmas Leftover Recipes!
Cut down on the turkey!
Integrating seasonal, local, and plant-based food into your festive meals is also a great way to lower your carbon impact and try something delicious and new. For low-cost plant-based ideas check out webpages such as The Happy Foodie's vegetarian and vegan Christmas recipes and Lazy Cat Kitchen's vegan Christmas recipe round-up.