We all know that familiar sinking feeling as the unwanted gifts, recycling and rubbish bags pile up over Christmas. But it doesn’t have to be this way, and with the world’s natural resources coming under unprecedented pressure, now is the time to make some simple changes that could make Christmas greener, less wasteful and potentially even more fun.
Nobody needs an avalanche of presents. So why not buy fewer gifts but consider them more carefully? If you’re giving physical presents, look for shops and websites with a zero or reduced-waste policy. There are loads of lovely gifts out there that come in minimal packaging. Alternatively, why not give sponsorship as a gift or make dedication in someone’s name? When discussing your own gifts with family members, it’s not a bad idea to ask them to donate to a favourite environmental cause, rather than buying you things you might not really want anyway.
Of course, food is a huge part of Christmas – and unfortunately, most of us waste a lot of it. So buy only what you need, don’t overdo the meat rations and use up your leftovers!
Below, we’ve suggested some other simple steps that everyone can take to make the festive season cost less for the planet. Merry Christmas!
Top tips
Top gift wrapping tips
- Don’t buy wrapping paper with glitter or foils, which aren't recyclable.
- For a more personal touch, try potato-printing your own paper.
- Discover the Japanese art of Furoshiki, which uses squares of cloth to wrap gifts. It isn’t difficult and the results can be beautiful.
- Use plain paper and jazz it up with recyclable accessories, such as ribbons and baubles.
- Do the scrunch test on used wrapping paper. If it stays scrunched, it’s probably okay to recycle; if it springs back into shape, put it in your refuse bin. (It will contaminate the recycling.)
- Buy eco-friendly sticky tape. A range of plastic free sticky tapes are now available and some are even compostable at home!
Christmas tree ideas
Christmas trees are gorgeous but can have a carbon footprint. The best options are:
- Reuse your current one.
- buy a pre-loved fake tree.
- Look after a real tree and reuse it each year.
- Use a Christmas Tree rental service
Top decorating tips
- Avoid buying plastic decorations this Christmas. Bunting, origami or pinecone decorations are much better than tinsel.
- Switch Christmas decorations with family, friends or work colleagues for a fresh look, rather than buying new ones.
- Make a natural Christmas wreath. You can even have one that will feed the birds as well as looking great!
- Make your own natural table decorations - holly leaves look fantastically festive.
- Avoid buying Christmas crackers which often contain plastic toys. Instead make your own using toilet roll tubes!
Gifts
- Look out for gifts that come with as little packaging as possible -or that you can recycle.
- If you are stuck for some gift ideas, why not try a zero waste kit. Try including a metal or bamboo straw, cutlery, a reusable coffee cup, reusable wraps, water bottle and an eco-lunch box.
- Sellotape is made of plastic, but don’t panic! You can wrap gifts with brown paper tape, ribbon or string. Better yet, go for a reusable option like a box, bag, or cloth.
Useful websites
surreyep.org.uk – Surrey Environment Partnership has a recycling tool and lots of useful information
invaluable.com/blog/furoshiki – a guide to Furoshiki, the ultimate reusable wrapping
recyclenow.com – the scrunch test and much more