1. Decorations
First, consider your decorations. Obviously the most environmentally sensible thing to do is to reuse existing decorations, and keep them for generations. But if you must buy new ones, or you don’t own any yet, then think about materials. Either go for longevity and craftsmanship by investing in beautifully made ceramic or glass baubles that you will keep and hand down, or focus on recycled and recyclable paper pieces, or make your own. The main thing to avoid is of course plastic, and that means tinsel, glitter and sequins too.
2. Sustainable Christmas Tree
And on the subject of plastic, there is a plausible argument that says a faux tree can in fact be more sustainable than a real tree, but only if you look at it over a lifetime. According to the Carbon Trust, a two-metre artificial tree has a carbon footprint of around 40kg, which is more than ten times that of a real tree that’s burned after Christmas. But once you reuse the fake tree more than 12 times, you’re winning. Of course, as the Soil Association points out: “Christmas trees take around 10-12 years to grow to the most popular size of 6 feet. During that time, they provide a habitat for wildlife and capture carbon from the atmosphere.” So the jury is out. If you buy a real tree, make sure that it’s responsibly grown with minimal pesticide use and source it locally from an organic independent retailer. And if you’re going for a fake one, then make sure you’re buying a tree for life.
3. Minimise Food Waste
Food waste is another issue at this time of year. As the cost of living continues to increase, it’s important to shop, cook and eat smart and not get carried away with the sheer excess of Christmas. The simple rule is to get creative with leftovers and make sure that nothing is wasted (and of course anything that really can’t be eaten must be composted).
4. Gift Wrapping
Gifts and wrapping can also be reined in. Unwanted gifts leave a huge carbon footprint every year, and giving a little more thought to each gift can go a long way. Recyclable wrapping paper, tags, cards, ribbon and tape is all non-negotiable. According to research from the Stockholm Environment Institute, total consumption and spending on food, travel, lighting and gifts over three days of festivities can result in as much as 650 kg of carbon dioxide emissions (CO2) per person, which is 5.5% of our total annual carbon footprint. With some changes to our behaviour, we can change this. Let’s make 2022 into the most environmentally aware Christmas yet – and it doesn’t need to be boring at all.