3 simple tips to a more sustainable Christmas.
Up to 8 million Christmas trees are bought every December in the UK alone. That's a lot of intensive production, and potentially a lot of waste.
It's true that fake plastic trees last for years – and nowadays they can look very realistic. But is it the best way forward?
FAKE IT OR REAL? If you already have a fake tree, keep it, treasure it and make it last at least 10 years to have a lower carbon emission than its real counterpart. If you want a real tree - just make sure it's grown sustainably by looking for either the FSC or Soil Association logo and buy your real tree locally. Christmas trees are planted as a crop, so we’re not cutting one from a natural woodland or forest, and every tree that is cut will be replanted with another for you to enjoy in another 8-12 years.
- Rent a tree - choose a tree, enjoy, return the tree.
- Grow your own.
- Buy locally.
CUT FOOD WASTE. Every year in the UK, around seven million tons of food is binned over the Christmas period. Remember...
- You don’t have to cook it all in one go. Save it for later.
- Check your cupboards before you buy.
- Donate any leftovers to a food bank.
- Create new meals from leftovers.
SHOP WITH A CONSCIENCE. We call it "double gifting." Gift to the planet as well as a loved one. e.g an Ocean Bottle that saves 1,000 plastic bottles from entering our oceans. Shop here.
- Looking at what the item is made of. How sustainable is it.
- Don't buy single use plastic.
- Look at where the present is made - buy locally and reduce your carbon footprint.
- Buy less.
- And wrap sustainably - shop Nancy & Betty eco-Christmas wrap here.
Here's the Generous APE guide to stocking fillers under £50.
