I'm Dreaming of a Green Christmas!

Christmas is a time of joy, celebration, and togetherness. We all know however, that it can bring a fair bit of waste and excess! How about seeing if you could apply the waste management hierarchy a little this Christmas?

Tip 1 – The Waste Management Hierarchy

The waste management hierarchy models the ideal way to prioritise how we handle waste to minimise its impact on the environment.

1 - Prevention: The best way to manage waste is to not create it in the first place. This means using less material and choosing products that last longer.

2 - Reduction: If we can’t prevent waste, the next best thing is to reduce the amount we produce. This can involve using fewer resources or creating less packaging

3 - Reuse: Before throwing things away, consider if they can be used again. Reusing items extends their life and reduces the need for new products.

4 - Recycling: When items can’t be reused, recycling is the next step. This process turns waste materials into new products, conserving resources and energy.

5 - Energy Recovery: For waste that can’t be recycled, we can sometimes convert it into energy. This involves burning waste to generate heat, electricity, or fuel.

6 - Disposal: The last resort is to dispose of waste in landfills. This is the least preferred option because it can harm the environment.

Tip 2 – Reused & Recycled Decorations

Instead of single-use decorations you could opt for higher quality items that can be reused year-on-year. This is a lovely way of incorporating traditions into your Christmas decorations and reliving the joy from past Christmases.

You could incorporate natural elements like pinecones, holly, and evergreen branches that can be composted after the holidays.

Consider reusing last year’s Christmas cards as gift tags on presents by cutting the front off, and hole-punching it to use a nice ribbon to secure it to the gift; the NSG Grinch card would make a lovely gift tag!

Perhaps, give your presents a stylish eco-twist by wrapping them using recycled newspaper, gift paper, or brown paper from deliveries. Consider using fabric tied with string or ribbon for a reusable and aesthetic alternative. Pillowcases, old scarves and tea towels all make good wrapping ‘paper’. It is also okay to not wrap your gifts at all!

After the holiday period, consider sustainable Christmas tree practices. If you have purchased a fake tree, make sure that you look after it and package it up safely for use next year. The Carbon Trust estimates that you would need to use your fake tree for at least ten years for it to have a lower carbon impact than a ‘real’ tree - so don’t go buying a new one every year! If you have opted for a real tree, consider recycling it via local schemes - Find one near you.

Tip 3 – Gifting Green

Don’t be afraid to ask people what they want, this should reduce waste and awkward Christmas mornings! “Ohhhh….Thanksssss!”.

Rather than purchasing mass-produced, imported goods from big businesses that come with a large carbon footprint, you could choose to shop small, local and handmade. How about unique, one-of-a-kind jewellery, ceramics and textiles, woodwork, local honey, homemade jams, or craft beers from local artisans; all of which make thoughtful and special Christmas gifts. A personalised, handmade gift is often more treasured than a purchased item.

Consider buying experience gifts such as workshops and classes. Experience gifts are memorable, often support local businesses and are a good excuse to spend time with friends and family. You could also buy annual memberships to museums, theatres, online learning platforms or streaming services.

As an alternative to purchasing fast fashion items, you could choose to support eco-friendly clothing companies, or a second-hand item could suit others. You can find some lovely things in charity shops and your money stretches that bit further!

Reusable products such as beeswax wraps, silicone food storage bags, and stainless-steel water bottles are practical and reduce single-use plastic, making them good sustainable gift ideas.

Tip 4 - Energy-Saving Ideas

LED Christmas lights consume less energy and last longer than traditional incandescent bulbs so could be a good option for you. Timers on your holiday lights can ensure they are only on during peak times, saving energy.

Tip 5 – Enjoy those Leftovers

Christmas food is a real focus for many this time of year – but food waste, even if composted, has a huge impact globally. Reusing leftovers is not only a delicious treat for boxing day, but if you freeze some, you’ll have plenty to enjoy during what sometimes seems like the endless month of January.

It is a good idea to plan out your Christmas meals and keep an eye on what’s in your fridge so you can reduce food waste. A sustainable Christmas is also about making the most of what you have, especially when it’s delicious Christmas fare!

Tip 6 – Perfection vs Sustainability

This time of year, although jolly and fun can also bring a multitude of different pressures, adding the need to be perfectly ‘green’ is not a sustainable or realistic task. Let’s not got bogged down in the perfection and remember that doing what we can is far better than doing nothing at all!

Please feel free to share any of your sustainable Christmas tips in the comments – I’d love to hear about ways we can all collaborate to reduce waste!

Merry Christmas!

Ellie Porter