How to Enjoy an Environmentally Friendly Christmas

Like many people, you are probably looking forward to the Christmas holidays and anticipating having some fun after what may have been a difficult year? It’s worth remembering though that the festive period is a time of year when most waste occurs and sometimes it only needs a little thought and forward planning in order to avoid any unnecessary wastage.

Christmas Cards & Wrapping

There is nothing nicer than a well designed card or gift wrapping to show you’ve given some thought for your gift recipients. However, this is often discarded and is a great cause of waste. Opting for cards and wrapping made from recycled paper is a simple and effective way of minimising the environmental impact. Saving undamaged gift bags and ribbons for use at a later date is not only a green idea but can save you some money too.

Drink Bottles and Cans

Of course, Christmas wouldn’t be the same without a seasonal tipple and you’ll probably drink more alcohol at this time than any other. Spare a thought for the planet and take your empty bottles and cans to the nearest recycling point afterwards. It often only involves going slightly out of your way at your next shopping trip and the benefits to the environment can be enormous.

Christmas Trees

You can’t beat a real Christmas tree and it can be the most natural way of decorating your home over the holiday season. Why not buy a tree with roots that you can replant afterwards – again, it saves on waste and will save you money next year as well. Alternatively, take you old tree to your local tip where there may be facilities for converting these to mulch.

Christmas Lights

The use of electric lighting can create a real Christmas atmosphere but try to choose lights which are energy efficient. LED lights use much less power than other types and don’t forget to turn them off overnight too.

Batteries

Most children’s toys run on batteries and the wastage here can be obvious. Batteries are not only very inefficient but their manufacture and disposal can be damaging to the planet. Opt for rechargeable batteries wherever possible and you’ll also save a good deal of money over the long term.

Environmentally Friendly Gifts

A novel way of being green at Christmas is to give gifts which are environmentally friendly in their own right. By giving such a gift you can convey a message to the recipient – not only do you care about them, but you care for the planet as well!