5 Ways To Be More Sustainable This Christmas

Christmas and Sustainability; two things that really don't go hand in hand. Now, Christmasses of old were probably very sustainable I'm sure, but in 2019 and this world of consumerism we're immersed in, the two together just doesn't seem possible. But, for today's Blogmas post I thought I'd compile a little list of things we can all do to help ease the burden Christmas is having on our planet...

5 Ways To Be More Sustainable This Christmas 

Change Up Your Wrapping 

In case you weren't already aware, wrapping paper can't be recycled. It's coated in plastic and hence not suitable for recycling meaning tonnes and tonnes of the stuff is thrown into landfill every year. Now, I'm not suggesting that you place all your gifts in an Asda carrier bag but how about brown paper? If you're interested, last year I wrote an entire blog post on more eco-friendly wrapping. Other wrapping paper alternatives include placing your gifts in reusable boxes or cute tote bags!

Buy Eco-Friendly Items as Gifts

I mentioned in my Gift Guide For Her that I'd been meaning to buy myself some reusable cotton pads for the longest time but has just never got round to it... Well, why not buy people other things that fall into this it's-on-my-list-maybe-one-day category as gifts? Know someone that doesn't have a reusable coffee cup? Well, that's an easy gift! Know someone that always has a packed lunch? Why not buy them some beeswax wraps to replace cling film. Reusable cotton pads, water bottles, bamboo straws, you get the gist!

Limit Your Shopping 

Now, I for one know how easy it is to get carried away with the Christmas shopping, both food and gifts! It's oh so easy to buy things for the sake of it, so, when you're strolling the aisles of Lidl getting things for the big day, maybe ask yourself if you really do need 6 packets of pigs in blankets or if 2 would suffice.

Ask What People Actually Want 

So, yes, surprises are all well and good but only if your Aunt Sandra actually does want a foot of Jaffa Cakes and a multipack of Andrex toilet rolls... One easy way to reduce the waste produced by this time of year is to only buy things for people that they really want. Less of the 'stocking stuffing' and more of the thoughtful gifting, please!

Switch to LEDS

Yes, Christmas is THE season for fairy lights but 'if every UK household swapped a string of incandescent lights for its LED equivalent, we could save more than £11 million and 29,000 tonnes of CO2, just over the 12 days of Christmas' (source).  I'm not being the Fun Police, but if you're not in, turn your lights off and if you want to cover your entire house in fairy lights for the entirety of December, make them LEDs!



Now, I know that I'm usually the queen of all things festive, and I'm sorry if this post comes across as a bit negative and/or preachy. But, I like to think that I can use my platform for discussing important things too, as well as my favourite flavour of ice-cream (chocolate) and what I had for dinner (a roast). If not, usual service resumes tomorrow and in the meantime, you can check out all of my other blogmas content here.

What are you doing to be more sustainable this Christmas?