With the festive season underway, you may be wondering how to embrace your desire for sustainability without compromising on the magic of Christmas. So here are our top sustainable Christmas tips to help you out!
Making mindful choices before, on and in the aftermath of Christmas Day can significantly reduce the waste and environmental impact that this time of year can bring. By thinking more sustainably this season you can still take part in all the festive fun while being kinder to the planet. Here are our sustainable Christmas tips to help you celebrate responsibly:
Presents
The joy of Christmas is all about giving, but packaging is not. Every year 227,000 miles of wrapping paper ends up in UK landfills. So to combat this, consider using reusable fabric wraps, recycled brown paper, or newspaper adorned with natural twine instead. These alternatives can be beautifully decorated with dried orange slices or sprigs of greenery for an even more personal touch to your gift-giving.
Of course, the most sustainable wrapping option is no wrapping at all so reusing what you already have in your cupboard is the perfect way to stay green. However, if there is no other way around it and you need to buy new wrapping for your gifts, remember to avoid foil-lined or glitter-covered paper, as these cannot be recycled.
Additionally, if you’re still shopping for stocking fillers or last minute presents, choose local markets or independent stores, which will often have much less plastic packaging. Exploring smaller shops and hidden gems, all wonderfully dressed up for Christmas will undoubtedly get you into the spirit of the season all while supporting community businesses.
Food
Food waste spikes during Christmas, but with a bit of planning, you can minimise excess waste while still indulging in your favourite festive treats. Create a shopping list based on portions, ensuring there’s enough for everyone without overdoing your big shop. And if you end up with leftovers, transform them into delicious meals for the rest of the week including bubble and squeak, soup, sandwiches, or casseroles.
Another easy sustainable Christmas tip this time of year is to choose locally sourced and seasonal produce where you can. Local produce typically requires less transportation and packaging. Plus, if you are serving meat, consider buying from local butchers or farms with strong sustainability practices. Alternatively, you could explore the increasingly popular plant-based Christmas options for a delicious, eco-friendly feast.
Composting vegetable peelings will probably be the last thing on your mind when you’re done cooking your Christmas meal but collecting up food scraps gives back to the earth instead of being buried away in plastic bin bags. To help with this you could buy a small scraps bin or recruit someone on the day who won’t be doing any cooking to help keep an eye on anything that can be taken away to be composted.
Decorations
When it comes to Christmas decorations decking the halls can be both stunning and sustainable. One of the easiest ways to be more sustainable this Christmas is to avoid mass-produced plastic decorations in favour of handmade or natural alternatives. Pinecones, dried flowers, and wooden ornaments will infuse your home with timeless charm. Plus, crafting fun decorations with friends or family is all part of the fun of Christmas.
But there’s no need to give up on the customary twinkling lights if you can switch to energy-efficient LED options instead. And don’t forget to turn them off during the day to save electricity.
For the tree, a potted option that can be replanted or reused next year is a fantastic alternative to disposable trees. Artificial trees can also be sustainable if reused for many years, however you have to be ready to commit to them, they only become more sustainable than using a real tree if you can keep them for over 20 years.
Clothes
Christmas fashion is always a blast, with a whirlwind of reds, greens, golds and whites. The festive season is all about a fun and vibrant colour scheme. However, it doesn’t also have to come at a cost to the planet.
Fast fashion often dominates festive wardrobes, but there are more eco-conscious ways to dress for the occasion. Shop second-hand or vintage for unique outfits that won’t contribute to overproduction. If buying new, invest in high-quality, timeless pieces made from sustainable fabrics. Think about restyling clothes you already have or try out one of our favourite sustainable Christmas tips of swapping clothes with family and friends to refresh your look.
After Christmas
Once the festivities wind down, there’s still work to be done. Recycle everything you can, from cardboard boxes to glass bottles. Also, make sure to check your local recycling guidelines to ensure items are disposed of correctly.
You can even consider upcycling broken decorations or finding creative ways to reuse leftover materials. If you save up any ribbons, tags and undamaged or unused wrapping paper they can easily be reused next year.
Finally, reflect on what worked well and what could be improved for next year. Sustainability needs practice, and each small step you take contributes to a more eco-friendly Christmas season.
That’s all from us. We hope these sustainable Christmas tips help to make your holidays all the more cheerful for you and the planet.
At the BDC we are on a journey of continual improvement and prioritise focusing on the environment and supporting the local community. As a B Corp certified organisation sustainability is an important part of our day to day operations. This belief follows us into the joyful yet hectic Christmas season, which is why we believe there’s always time to dedicate to being just a touch more sustainable during this time of year.
If you want to learn more about our sustainability practices then check them out here. And if you want to look into some of our upcoming events check out our What’s On page.
From all of us here at the BDC, we wish you a very Merry Christmas!
