Recycled: Sustainable Christmas Tips

Last year, I tasked myself to collate some eco-friendly Christmas tips in line with Lowell 's Sustainability Strategy and how we can address wider societal needs for a more inclusive and sustainable future. This year, like Wham!, I’ll be ‘recycling’ my eco-conscious tips to "someone special": you (1). By spreading awareness, we can all learn how to play our part in supporting a low-carbon world and healthier Earth this holiday season??.

Christmas is quickly approaching, and though the headlines of the COVID-19 pandemic may feel like a lifetime ago, the UK faces a different challenge in 2022 – rampant inflation and the looming 'cost of living' crisis. The American singer, Andy Williams may think Christmas is the "most wonderful time of the year," (2) but a Sunday Express poll found 34% of the public were “very concerned” that they would not be able to spend as much as they usually do on Christmas gifts or celebration (3). Considering increased pressures on finances, including soaring fuel bills, planning for a sustainable Christmas is probably not the first thing on your mind (and you are totally forgiven for it). That is why Lowell's Environmental Involve Group (EIG) have been busy collating their top tips for you (phew!). This festive season we will not only share how you can reduce your environmental footprint, but also how you could save some money in the process...What’s not to like?

1. Quality over quantity?

It's so easy to panic buy presents, particularly when we simply don't know what to choose. But trash gifts aren't funny when the Earth is full of trash. In fact, over half of UK adults say they have received gifts they don't want (4) and a previous study found that one in nine Brits will swap their presents afterwards because they received something they didn't need (5). To cut down on waste, we recommend buy less, but better. Check out Buy Me Once for gifts designed to last a lifetime, or arrange a 'Secret Santa' as an alternative to the usual gift exchange. It'll mean you can put thought into a single present, rather than one for every man and his dog (sorry not sorry).

2. Gift an experience??

Who says gifts need to be physical? There are lots of options to choose from that will bring people together whilst reducing your Christmas footprint. You could buy tickets to shows or concerts, make a restaurant reservation, organise a spa day, or arrange a gift card for your recipient to spend at their favourite local shop. Memberships to favourite museums, English Heritage, and the National Trust work too. As I’m a proud orangutan adopter, do check out the WWF's animal adoptions or one of their memberships, as these are perfect gifts for wildlife-lovers wanting to conserve the environment.

3. Make a handmade gift??

Santa isn't the only one who deserves cookies this year. Lowell's very own Elaine Barber makes a mixture of edible presents - Florentines, candied peel, and even marron glace! Her top tip for smaller presents is to make something like a loaf of ginger cake as it keeps for a long time and doesn't have to be eaten at once. Feeling inspired? Why not share with us how you’ll add your own personal touch to make someone feel extra special.

4. Single-use plastic is on the naughty list??

Avoid single-plastic items. During the festive period alone, 114,000 tonnes (equivalent to 650,000 reindeer) of plastic packaging goes to landfill (6). If you’re hosting this Christmas, keep sustainability in mind by asking friends or family to bring along their plates, cups, or cutlery that can be washed and returned to them. Also, look out for certified ‘green’ logos such as Fairtrade, Rainforest Alliance, Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), and Palm Oil Free. If buying plastic-free, check out Ekologik, The Ethical Superstore and Wreath London.

5. Buy second-hand / refurbished??

Spread some Christmas cheer by supporting local and small businesses. To seek out special finds you won't get anywhere else, check out Turtledove for organic clothing or Etsy - a reliable platform with a huge choice of products, including things that are handmade and/or upcycled. If you’re dressing for the party season, the most sustainable option is already hanging in your wardrobe. If like me, you “can’t find anything to wear,” ask your friends or family, or rent an outfit - By Rotation has some great recommendations. The EIG love buying second-hand because it saves on resources needed to make new products; Lowell's Carol Ord shared her experience using Vinted and we have created our own Lowell UK Freeloved site.

"I've bought everything from Halloween jumpers to hair straighteners (mine gave up on me after 7 years service!). Not only have I saved hundreds compared with the retail price of these items if bought new, I've been able to help to manage my own carbon footprint." - Group Head of Sustainability, Carol Ord

Businesses can even sign up to Textiles 2030: the UK's sustainable textiles action plan. Whichever outfit choice you choose, avoid sequins as they're made from PVC and there are no biodegradable substitutes…don’t worry though, you won’t sparkle any less!

6. Shop local??and in season to reduce food miles?

When shopping for food, support UK farmers by eating with the seasons. Transport produced 24% of the UK’s total emissions in 2020 and is still the largest emitting sector in the UK (7). Source your food by visiting your local farmers’ market and look out for vegetables that have been grown nearby so you can cut down on transport emissions and food miles. Don't forget your reusable bags to carry all your shopping home! This interactive seasonal food map launched by the European Food Information Council (EUFIC), can help you plan your menu accordingly and to help you measure the nutritional and sustainability profiles of food and drink, the Impact Score app can show.

7. Eat more plants??

Whilst it may not sound traditional to some, why not try something new and go meat-free this Christmas. The livestock industry generates 14.5% of all manufactured greenhouse gas emissions (8), and cooking a turkey costs 1.5 times as much as a typical family’s electricity bill – for an entire day! (6) There are many delicious veggie options out there and by replacing just one meaty meal, it’ll be good for you and the planet. If you can’t resist, ensure any meat or dairy products you’re keen to have don’t come from intensive farms.

8. Cut your food waste??

Although the cost-of-living crisis in 2022 [was] likely to see as many as 44% of UK residents cutting back their spending on Christmas food (6), food production remains the biggest cause of tropical deforestation (9). To avoid over-buying, write a list before you head over to the shops and be realistic about how much food you’ll need. If you do over-cater, cut waste by using Tupperware, or wax cloth covers to keep your leftovers fresh. Other options include donating food to a neighbour or local foodbank or turning your vegetables into a hearty soup. Why not check out 14 of the best eco-friendly apps to help you live a greener life.

9. Watch your drink??

If you like to get a little merry, opt to drink organically. Although not the cheapest, there’s plenty of choice in restaurants and shops, such as Waitrose & Partners, Dà Mhìle’s, and Vintage Roots. You can even order cocktails from your local bars via The Drinks Drop which arrive at your door within 24 hours. Plus, all cocktails come in glass bottles or recyclable pouches. If you prefer sipping on non-alcoholic beverages, check out Freestar’s alcohol-free beer, or Everleaf’s on-alcoholic aperitifs. Have an ethical cuppa by keeping plastic out of your teabags with Pukka Herbs and Teapigs, but if coffee is more your thing, try Pact Coffee. By choosing drinks that meet strict requirements, including pesticide use and land management, you can say ‘cheers’ for being eco-conscious this festive season.

10. Switch to eco-friendly wrapping paper??

Think twice about gift wrapping. Shockingly, the UK bins over 108 million rolls of wrapping paper each year (6). Do your bit by using brown paper or buying plastic-free wrapping paper brands like Storigraphic. Its FSC certified paper is 100% recyclable, and thick enough to be reusable. You could even use old newspapers, sheet music, magazines, or old maps, but if you’re unsure if the paper you’re using is recyclable, use the scrunch test (10). Avoid plastic ribbon and sticky tape and get inspired by tape-free wrapping techniques such as Furoshiki – a traditional Japanese method of using cloth to wrap and transport gifts. FabRap? and The Fabric Wrapping Co.’s offers some beautiful designs. If you’d like to add some sparkle, opt for plant-based, vegan glitter like that from Eco Glitter Fun. If you receive any gift bags, boxes, tissue paper and ribbon, don’t forget to save and reuse them for next year!

11. Don't go crackers for crackers??

Switch to eco-friendly crackers. Many Christmas crackers are not recyclable, and the toys inside?are often made of plastic (11). When shopping, look out for FSC certified, reusable, and DIY crackers such as Lakeland’s “fill your own" or RSPB’s recyclable crackers. You could even create your own out of your eco-friendly wrapping paper and fill them with sustainable options and plastic-free surprises.

12. Shine brighter with your lighting??

Switch your Christmas lights to Light-Emitting Diodes (LEDs). LED lights use an average of 75% less energy and can last up to 25 times longer than incandescent bulbs (12), meaning you'll save both energy and money from your pocket, and they’ll look just as good! Lights 4 Fun is a one-stop-shop for picking up LED lights this Christmas. If you do wish to buy candles, ensure to switch to soy or beeswax varieties rather than paraffin-based candles; you can shop for eco-friendly options at The Botanical Candle Co. My favourite Christmas scent is spiced apple and cinnamon…what’s yours?

13. Play your cards right??

A staggering one billion Christmas cards are thrown away by UK households each year – that’s the equivalent of 33 million trees! (6) To stop this figure escalating, Lowell's Kerry L , is on a mission to reduce waste and the use of single use greeting cards by producing a range of?eco-friendly reusable greeting cards with her artist brother. They are planting as many trees as they can in the process in collaboration with TreeNation and have already planted over 700! You can read more about how this novel idea works and browse the products via their site Greentings.

14. Upcycle or make your own decorations??

Avoid plastic decorations like tinsel, baubles, and glitter, and invest in eco-friendly and ethical ones that you will love for years. If you like DIY, make your own by upcycling old decorations, or by using spare material around the house. Making your own family heirloom will make a beautiful addition to your home year after year. If buying new, choose local decorations made of natural materials, go second-hand to find something pre-loved, or browse online such as the WWF and Nkuku for ethical and handmade designs that will last a lifetime. You could even make your own Christmas wreath / centrepiece out of biodegradable materials from your local park / walk, such as fallen twigs, holly, pine, and eucalyptus – not only will it not cost you a penny, but it’s also much better for the environment.

15. Don't forget the tree??

Let’s be honest, buying an artificial vs real tree divides the nation as much as whether a Yorkshire Pudding belongs on your Christmas dinner (and of course it does). Buying a two-metre artificial Christmas tree has a carbon footprint of about 40kg of greenhouse gas emissions and can’t be recycled, versus 3.5kg created from a real one (13). So, who’s the real winner here? If you want an artificial tree, buy a pre-loved one by picking one up from eBay, Gumtree, or Facebook Marketplace, and ensure to reuse it for at least 10 years. If buying a real one, make sure it’s FSC-certified or look out for the ‘Grown in Britain’ label as this will confirm your tree has been sourced sustainably. To reduce your transport milage, visit the British Christmas Tree Growers Association to buy a tree near you. To reduce your impact on Earth even more, you could rent a real tree from a British farm via Love a Christmas Tree . Fancy something different? Turn your houseplant into a modern looking Christmas tree or create a real masterpiece by DIY using natural materials…plus, it’s zero waste, what’s not to like! After Christmas, dispose of your tree responsibly. Potted trees are a wonderful choice as they can be reused each year. Check out your local council website for their sustainable collection services, or go to recyclenow to find out about drop-off points in your area, where your old tree will be recycled into chippings for local parks and woodland areas. Still undecided? Check out this flow chart on choosing an eco-friendly Christmas tree. Whichever tree you go with, ensure it makes you happy.

Before you walk away with a plan to reduce your carbon footprint, it's worth mentioning that in today’s day and time it is so easy to lose sight of the true meaning of Christmas. When speaking with my friend, she said: "December's coming, it's going to be an expensive month." So, to lift her spirits we talked about all the things that bring us joy during the festive season. Whilst digesting our tips, remember to pause and ask yourself what's important? My beloved Grandma was the beating heart of our Christmas; although she's no longer with us, it reminds me to cherish the time I spend with my loved ones. At Lowell, our company values unite us like a community, so whether you decide to be compassionate in the form of giving, sharing, and forgiveness, or be responsible by being more sustainable, together we'll grow a stronger business and fairer society.

Written by: Phoebe Backhouse

References

1. Wham! Last Christmas. GENIUS. [Online] December 03, 1984. [Cited: October 23, 2023.] https://genius.com/Wham-last-christmas-lyrics.

2. SecondHandSongs. It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year. SecondHandSongs. [Online] [Cited: December 04, 2022.] https://secondhandsongs.com/work/116060/all.

3. Walker, Jonathan. Cost of living crisis: Britons facing miserable Christmas as bills skyrocket. Express. [Online] July 16, 2022. [Cited: December 04, 2022.] https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/1641536/Cost-of-living-crisis-christmas-spending-bills.

4. Edwards, Liz. Unwanted gifts. Finder. [Online] December 05, 2022. [Cited: December 06, 2022.] https://www.finder.com/uk/unwanted-gifts.

5. Joyner, Lisa. These are 10 of the most returned Christmas gifts. Housebeautiful. [Online] December 03, 2019. [Cited: December 06, 2022.] https://www.housebeautiful.com/uk/lifestyle/a29885958/most-returned-christmas-gifts/.

6. Dobson, Matt. Christmas packaging facts: the definitive list (updated for 2022). GWP Group. [Online] December 05, 2022. [Cited: December 06, 2022.] https://www.gwp.co.uk/guides/christmas-packaging-facts/.

7. Department for Transport. Transport and environment statistics 2022. GOV.UK. [Online] October 20, 2022. [Cited: December 06, 2022.] https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/transport-and-environment-statistics-2022/transport-and-environment-statistics-2022#co2-emissions-from-transport-by-local-authority.

8. Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations. Key facts and findings. Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations. [Online] [Cited: December 06, 2022.] https://www.fao.org/news/story/en/item/197623/icode/.

9. WWF. What are the biggest drivers of tropical deforestation? WWF. [Online] Summer 2018. [Cited: December 11, 2022.] https://www.worldwildlife.org/magazine/issues/summer-2018/articles/what-are-the-biggest-drivers-of-tropical-deforestation#:~:text=Beef%20production%20is%20the%20top,and%20fourth%20biggest%20drivers)%20combined..

10. Joyner, Lisa. Can you recycle wrapping paper? CountryLiving. [Online] November 24, 2019. [Cited: December 11, 2022.] https://www.countryliving.com/uk/homes-interiors/interiors/a29887345/can-recycle-wrapping-paper/.

11. Bistacchi, Danielle. It’s beginning to look a lot like… a supersustainable Christmas! designportfolio. [Online] 2019. [Cited: December 11, 2022.] https://www.design-portfolio.co.uk/insights/its-beginning-look-lot-supersustainable-christmas/#:~:text=Christmas%20crackers%20are%20a%20huge,up%20in%20the%20bin%20immediately)..

12. Roth, Patti. Light Up With Energy-Efficient LEDs. Earth911. [Online] June 02, 2022. [Cited: December 11, 2022.] https://earth911.com/home-garden/light-up-with-energy-efficient-leds/.

13. McAllister, Sean. Real vs. artificial: What is the most sustainable type of Christmas tree? Zurich. [Online] November 17, 2022. [Cited: December 12, 2022.] https://www.zurich.com/en/media/magazine/2022/real-vs-artificial-what-is-the-most-sustainable-type-of-christmas-tree#:~:text=According%20to%20the%20Carbon%20Trust,more%20than%2010%20times%20less.