Tips to Make This Festive Season More Sustainable

Travel

Use public transport if possible and/or share cars for longer journey. Not only this is good for your carbon footprint, it makes getting stuck in traffic less frustrating as you can read your book or chat with friends.

Remember that if you're away from home for several days, you should turn off electrical items that don't need to stay on for both sustainability and safety reasons, and lower your thermostat temperature to save money and energy.

Gifting

Buy a sustainable item or gift an experience.

Sustainable items can mean buying from a sustainable brand, a zero-waste shop or thrifted or vintage items.

Experiences like tickets to the theatre, afternoon tea or coffee gift cards can be more memorable and are something you can look forward to using in the future.

Shopping

Use websites such as Ethical Consumer or Ethical Superstore to find out how to make the most sustainable and ethical choice.

The Ethical Consumer website provides “Independent product guides, research, information and analysis” helping you make the most ethical decision in all areas, including shopping, travel, tech and banking. 

Ethical Superstore is an online shop for sustainably sourced and ethical products - you can buy anything from clothes and beauty products to homeware and food.

Shopping local, and buying locally sourced goods where possible, helps reduce the carbon emissions of international air travel for imported items and supports local businesses in your area to help it thrive.

Greeting cards/wrapping paper

Take this opportunity to support a charity organisation and buy their greeting cards and contribute toward a good cause.

Check for FSC Certification indicating the cards are sustainably made and/or the recycling symbol indicating that the cards can be recycled afterwards. 

Another fun option is to purchase biodegradable cards or cards that can be planted to produce flowers.

Purchasing from local businesses and artists can minimise tOhe distance your cards have travelled.

E-cards are a good alternative for sending long distance and to minimise carbon footprints on production and postage.

Replace wrapping paper with reusable fabric, taking inspiration from Furoshiki, the traditional Japanese approach of wrapping gifts in a single piece of cloth.

Food

Opt for vegan or vegetarian meals to replace meat and dairy.

Aim for fairtrade or organic options.

Plan ahead to avoid food waste and panic buying on Christmas Eve.

Purchase from local grocers, butchers or farm shops to minimise the distance your food travels.

Buy loose fruit and vegetables and avoid plastic packaging to minimise landfill waste.

For extra supplies, consider buying tinned or frozen items that have longer shelf life and can be used at a later date.

Christmas tree and decorations

Choose a tree that can be replanted or comes in a pot. Alternatively, rent one or decorate a house plant you already own.

One fake Christmas tree = 48 kg of CO₂ equivalent (EcoChain, Real vs. Fake Trees: How Sustainable is Your Christmas Tree? - Ecochain) roughly sixteen times that of a real tree that is bought and disposed of. Therefore, if using a fake tree, buy second hand or aim to use for two decades or more!

Opt for plastic-free (and glitter-free) decorations where possible – aim for longevity with your choices.

Make some of your decorations – use recycled materials to create paperchains and ornaments to add a personal touch to your decor.

Downtime

Use the season to rest and learn more about sustainability, here are a few ideas for books and movies. You could also take the King’s Sustainability and Climate Module, or sign up to Giki Zero and start making your 2025 pledges to protect the planet.

Spend some time in nature. Go for a walk in nature, brush up on your photography skills, notice something new, and share the experience with friends and family.

Bonus tip: Stash it, don't trash it

Don't throw away your Christmas cards and wrapping paper – we have some fun upcycling events planned for the new year! We will be setting up recycling stations around the IoPPN in the New Year and we hope to see you at various events where you can learn new skills and more about sustainable action.