Have a Greener Christmas

Christmas is the season for fun festivities the time when we all like to let our hair down, particularly when it comes to spending, present-giving, decorating our homes and feasting on turkey and mince pies. But just as our bank balances and waistlines suffer come January time, so too does a less obvious yuletide victim: the environment. Spending and consuming to excess at this time of year has a negative effect on the environment and increases our individual carbon footprint.

You can still enjoy Christmas to the full without having such a great impact on the environment. Follow our tips to having a greener Christmas. These steps should also save you money over the seasonal period too!

Christmas Tree

Pick your tree up from an ecologically sustainable supplier, making sure that the roots are still attached to the tree. This means that when Christmas is over, you can replant your tree in your garden, and re-use the following year. An artificial tree can be used again and again, but ensure that it’s made from natural materials that can be recycled when you need to. If replanting is not possible, then you should recycle your tree. In 2001, 7.5 million Christmas trees were bought, but only 1.2 million recycled – that’s the equivalent of enough trees to fill the Albert Hall three times being unnecessarily sent to landfill. Contact your local council regarding any special Christmas tree recycling services they may be offering n January. Your tree will be shredded into wood shavings to compost local parks and forests.

Presents

Gifts such as DVD players and coffee makers generate 780,000 tonnes of greenhouse gases last year, even before they were unwrapped and used due to fuel consumption during production, transportation and raw materials. Choosing ethically sourced presents is important, and will also show that you’ve put thought into the present you’ve selected. Items made from natural or recycled products are big business these days, and there’s plenty of choice available. Alternatively you could use a website such as www.goodgifts.org.uk where you can buy ethical gifts for loved ones such as their own acre of rainforest, the running of library in India or the funds to clear 25 square metres of a minefield.

Decorations

Naturally made decorations such as holly and mistletoe will give your home a traditional festive feel, and can be composted in January. Growing your own in the garden will keep you in ready supply. Paper decorations, if packed away carefully, can be re-used the following year. Even better, get the children to contribute to your home’s decorations by making their own from unwanted materials.

When it comes to Christmas lights in your garden and around the exterior of your house, why not give your neighbours a break and leave them off this year? It will make you significant savings on your energy bills and allow your naturally made and traditional decorations to shine.

Wrapping

You can buy recycled wrapping paper from most stockists. When you’re wrapping presents, only use as much paper as you need, and wrap using pretty coloured ribbon instead of sellotape. This makes re-using the paper much easier, and the ribbon can be used again too. Alternatively, use the box your item comes in as adequate wrapping, or place all your presents unwrapped in a reusable sack. You can give your items out one by one to the recipient.

Christmas Dinner

Ingredients for a traditional Christmas dinner travel up to 30,000 miles from producers around the world to reach our dinner tables on Christmas day. Shop local for your Christmas dinner ingredients to reduce food miles and help support local businesses. Ensure that your turkey and other meat have been kept in free range conditions.

Energy

Christmas is a time of year when we’re more likely to use more energy in our homes than at other times – but it doesn’t have to be that way. Here are a few pointers:

• Turn your Christmas lights off during the day and when you go to bed
• If your Christmas lights are on, turn off your main room lights
• Extra activity and people in your home will mean it is easier to keep warm – turn your thermostat down a degree or two
• Turn your heating off when you’re cooking the Christmas dinner – heat from the kitchen will keep surrounding areas warm.

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