With chestnuts roasting on an open fire and Jack Frost nipping at your nose, your last concern is probably going to be whether the wrapping paper, containing your third pair of socks, can be recycled or not. But implementing a few minor changes to your Christmas, can benefit the environment immensely.
During the festive season, an additional 3 million tonnes of waste is generated by households in England, with a whopping 227,000 miles of wrapping paper binned, rather than recycled annually. The equivalent of 33 million trees makes it into the bin in the form of Christmas cards as well.
So, what can you do?
Here are our top 7 tips for a more sustainable festive season…
1. Most wrapping paper can be recycled unless it is shiny, metallic, or glittery. To check this, scrunch up the paper; if it stays in a ball shape, it should be recyclable.
2. The same goes for cards. Recycle or reuse cards by cutting them up as gift tags for next year.
3. Put money back into your area by shopping locally. Rather than giving even more money to larger corporations, buy a gift or voucher from your local shops.
4. Avoid next day delivery. Companies will send out delivery trucks that are not at maximum capacity to get your order out quickly. Plan ahead!
5. If you have ordered something, reuse the delivery boxes. Wrap one big box, rather than lots of little ones by putting stocking fillers inside! Fewer paper cuts and sticky tape mishaps for you!
6. Make something. We are not saying you have to be Picasso but cut up an old sweatshirt for the dog or print and frame your favourite photo of your parents. It is the thought that matters.
7. Regift your unloved items to a better home. Remember that one man’s trash is another man’s treasure.
The practice of becoming more sustainable need not stop with this Christmas or New Year’s. Simply trying to be more conscientious with purchases and the waste you create, will have a massively positive impact on the ever-worsening environment.
Featured image and gallery: Sub Khan American dream-pop duo LANY bring the Soft World tour to Manchester’s 02 Apollo, in celebration of latest record Soft. In tow is emerging alt‑pop force Maisy Kay and Los-Angeles alt‑rockers Weathers, for a night of shimmering pop force. Opening the night, Maisy Kay commands the stage in a shimmering…
Featured image and gallery: Sally Stretch Fresh from a whirlwind run of sold‑out UK dates and a month of writing in the States, indie singer-songwriter Finn Forster sits down before his headline show at Manchester’s illustrious Deaf Institute to talk life on tour, new music, and the Teesside roots that keep him grounded. Have you…
Featured image and gallery: Lucy Elson-Whittaker Peter Hook & The Light play a one-off, sold-out show at Manchester Academy to celebrate Hook’s 50 years in music. Opening the night are the Buzzcocks, the legendary Manchester punk pioneers whose influence on the late 1970s punk scene remains undeniable. Aware of the crowd’s expectations, they launch straight…
Featured image and gallery: Lucy Elson-Whittaker Toots and the Maytals, fronted by Leba ‘Toots’ Hibbert, make a stop in Manchester at New Century Hall, celebrating the 50th anniversary of Reggae Got Soul. First on stage are Manchester-based seven-piece band The High Committee. Despite only forming late last year, they play with remarkable confidence, quickly overcoming…
Leave a reply