Christmas is just around the corner and although, for reasons we don’t need to go into, this year it will look differently, there are still things we can do to make sure that this is not only the most wonderful time of the year but is also the most environmentally-friendly.
Take a ‘less is more’ approach when cooking.
Reducing food waste doesn’t only save the environment but also saves you money.
- Plan your Christmas dinner and draw up a shopping list.
- Adjust the quantities. This year, we should be cooking for our nuclear family only, so buy and cook for the size of crowd you expect.
- Buy locally sourced ingredients to avoid air-flown emissions.
- Make sure to store any leftovers properly.
- Eat your leftovers, don’t throw anything away, so you don’t have to heat up the kitchen again to cook. Plus, it would mean more time curled up on your couch with a hot chocolate, and a holiday flick.
Unleash your creativity when gift wrapping
We all love to wrap our Christmas gifts beautifully, and this year they can look stunning with less waste.
- Be creative. Wrap your gifts in brown paper, old magazines and newspapers. You can also use fabric. Think scarves, tea towels, handkerchiefs, large napkins, all of which can serve as a bonus gift.
- Skip the shiny and glittery wrapping paper, ribbons, and plastic bows as these cannot be recycled.
- Buy recyclable wrapping paper. One way to know if the wrapping paper can be recycled is by scrunching it up. If it doesn’t open, then it’s recyclable. Check out our guide.
Go for sustainable Christmas decorations
Ditch all that plastic tinsel and opt for friendly alternatives this year. There are many ideas for decorations you can make at home.
- Make your own decorations by upcycling materials you have at home. Use leftover fabric to make Santa sacks instead of buying gift bags or turn sweaters into stockings. You can also save sheets of paper or newsprint, paint them and use them to create paper decorations for your tree.
- Store your existing Christmas decorations properly once it’s time to take them down so you make them last longer.
- Also, don’t forget to switch off your Christmas lights before going to bed so you can save on electricity.
Create memories not waste
Green is the new black. We are all becoming more and more aware of our environmental impact. Let Christmas 2020 be the year when you really think twice before gift shopping.
- Buy pre-loved gifts at your local charity shop.
- Organise a Secret Santa gift exchange.
- Gift experiences rather than material gifts.
- Gift plants. They make excellent gifts as they will last forever (if cared for properly!) and will brighten up your days ahead.
Make it your New Year's resolution to Reduce, Reuse and Recycle! There’s a lot of readily available information here and online on how we can be kinder to our planet!
Whatever waste there will be this Christmas after you have followed our tips, make sure you separate it properly and take out your bags according to your locality’s collection schedule. If you are unsure, what goes in what bin, you can find more information here.
Also, since there’s a high probability that the weather will be windy at this time of the year, make sure you secure your bag and close it well before taking it outside for collection. And in case, you’re planning a house clean-up before the start of the new year, you can always visit one of our Civic Amenity sites to dispose of your items responsibly.
Let’s all contribute to a greener Christmas and a cleaner environment!