Many people are now more conscious about their environmental impact and looking for ways to be more eco-friendly. With these easy steps, we can all do our part in making sure that this year’s holiday season is as green as it gets!
1. Eco Christmas food hacks
It’s not an exaggeration to say that Christmas dinner is some of the best. food. ever. However, food waste at the most wonderful time is rife. Keep food waste under control with these tips:
- Don’t buy too much Plan ahead of the day by writing a list of all the food you’ll need before heading out to the shops.
- Shop local Knowing where your food comes from is essential. Visit your local market and support small businesses this Christmas.
- Use up your leftovers Leftovers are the best bit of Christmas dinner, it’s a fact. Turn them into a sandwich, a soup, or a classic bubble and squeak.
- Make it veggie There are plenty of vegetarian and vegan options this year. Treat yourself to a mushroom wellington, a nut roast, or a baked cauliflower, and reduce your carbon footprint this holiday season.
2. Choose a real tree
Artificial trees often end up in landfill. If you’re looking to buy a new tree, read these tips to check your real tree is as green as can be:
- FSC Certification If the tree supplier has an FSC Certification, it means that they act sustainably and protect healthy forests and the environment.
- Recycle After Christmas, you can recycle your tree in several ways, such as using it to create paths or making it into garden chippings. There are lots of recycling options in the UK, check out how you can recycle yours by heading over to the government website.
- Replant If you buy your tree with roots, you can replant your tree in your garden for an evergreen plant all year round.
3. Opt for second hand
Choosing secondhand means that gifts and decorations get a second life. Whether it’s buying a second-hand artificial tree or trying out more conscious gifting by only buying gifts from charity shops, your second-hand choices will keep the circular economy going.
4. Limit the lights
It’s no secret that energy bills are going up. Save money on your energy bill while saving the planet by only turning Christmas lights on when you’re in the room, and by remembering to switch off all the lights before you go to bed. Alternatively, add a timer to your lights so that they switch off by themselves!
5. Send sustainable greetings
We love to reconnect with loved ones at Christmas time, it’s what it’s all about. But did you know that 2.65 billion cards are sent every Christmas? When you add to this all the glitter, plastic, and ribbon that can’t be recycled on top of this, that’s a lot of mess for the planet. Make your greetings more sustainable with these tips:
- Go Digital Why not send an e-card or email to family, particularly those who are far away? It’s much kinder to the environment, as well as cost-effective, and saves so much time. Try personalising it with a video greeting!
- Recycle Recycle old cards and use them again. One couple used the same Christmas card 37 times, simply adding a new message each year!
- DIY There are so many lovely ways to make your own Christmas card. Try using your handprint to make a reindeer, or a picture of Father Christmas, to personalise the card for your friends and family.
We would love to see how you have yourself an eco-friendly Christmas. Share your ideas with us on social media by tagging us and by using the hashtag #ExploreWithEYR.
