Ryman has pulled together its top four tree-mendous tips for a more sustainable approach which can be applied to many areas of the festive season and eco-friendly future.
Tip One: It’s all in the wrapping.
Buying gifts for your loved ones and dressing them up in beautiful wrapping paper and ribbons is definitely where the magic of Christmas comes from. But we often forget that one of our most-loved parts of the holiday season is not so magical for our planet.
Research has shown that consumers in the UK will use 227,000 miles of wrapping paper each year – with over 82km2 ending up in our bins. But it’s not all doom and gloom, there are plenty of ways to enjoy that festive feeling without shunning the festive tradition of beautiful, wrapped presents we love so much, whilst still being sustainable.
First of all, choose your wrapping materials wisely. There are lots of 100% recyclable wrapping paper options available – with plastic free sellotape to match. You can also opt for 100% recyclable gift bags, or if you have little ones, personalised Santa sacks add a special touch to Christmas morning which can be used again and again.
Tip Two: Store, don’t throw.
As well as our presents, even our decorations can have damaging effects on the world when wasted each year. Statistics show that six million Christmas trees are thrown away each year – all on their way to landfill putting more methane and carbon dioxide into the air.
It’s time to make a change and start taking better care of our decorations and storing them for years to come. After all, it’s going to save you money and protect our environment. There are lots of great storage options available that will help organise your Christmas tree and decorative baubles neatly until they are needed again the following year.
From packing up your baubles, laying your faux tree to rest, and savoring left over wrapping paper – there are plenty of Really Useful Boxes available in all different shapes and sizes which will make tossing your Christmas decs a thing of the past.
Tip Three: Go digital
Now, this is a tip that is going to save you at Christmas – especially if you’re looking for ways to save money and do your bit for the planet. Sources claim that one billion Christmas cards are sold in the UK every year, which is the equivalent of a staggering 33 million trees! Plus, with the average Brit sending 17 cards to loved ones, friends, and colleagues, it’s safe to say a large price tag can accumulate fast.
So, with the festive season an already expensive time of year, every penny counts when it comes to pulling back and making a saving. With that in mind, did you know in most cases e-cards are completely free?! You’ll be able to deliver the same Christmas spirit without anywhere near the amount of environmental damage or dent in your pocket.
If you prefer something physical, why not create your own? If you print your own and recycle them, they can be just as sustainable. The Epson EcoTank Printer and its eco-friendly ink cartridges also have green credentials; the cartridges are fully recyclable, so you can be sure you’re doing your bit for the planet – all without the plastic packaging!
Tip Four: Say no to food waste.
Food is a huge thing to us Brits – especially at Christmas. We get so concerned with making sure we have enough to stuff our faces all day long that it can be easy to forget how much is actually going to go to waste – times that by the whole country and we have a problem!
Every festive season, two million turkeys, five million Christmas puddings, and 74 million mince pie get disposed while still edible, which causes almost 270,000 tons of food waste in total during this widely celebrated holiday. That being said, there are some key steps you can take to help avoid this problem.
- When purchasing your Christmas food, think ahead and try and work out what you actually need rather than falling victim to impulse buying. And be sure to check use-by dates so nothing expires before you need to use it.
- Instead of binning your leftovers, why not freeze them? You’ll be doing your bit for the planet and giving you the chance to enjoy your Christmas food on more than one occasion.
- Get creative when cooking! We all know about the traditional turkey curry on Boxing Day, but there’s so much more that can be done with your roast dinner leftovers and party nibbles than simply throwing them in a curry or making a sandwich.
So, there you have it – four easy tips to help you and your family host an eco-friendlier Christmas, building towards a more sustainable future for all.
