Easy ways to go green

The holiday season is a time of celebration, not waste. With a few simple swaps and smart choices, you can enjoy the holidays while being kind to the planet. 

From recycling to handmade crafts, here's our ultimate guide to an eco-friendly Christmas. 

Wreck Deck the Halls

Christmas trees 🎄

Real trees are a greener choice if disposed of properly. After the festivities, many councils have designated drop-off points to be recycled into wood chippings for parks and gardens. No drop-off point? Simply take them to your household waste recycling centre.

Fake trees are best kept for several years to minimise their environmental impact, so if you have one, hang onto it! 

Christmas cards ✍🏼

Good news: most cards and envelopes can be recycled. Just drop them into your home or local collection point. 

Tinsel and decorations ✨

Unfortunately, tinsel can't be recycled, so either dispose of it with general waste or keep for next year.

Take your sustainable Christmas to the next level by making your own decorations from natural materials like pinecones, dried citrus slices or paper crafts.

Wrap with no scrap

Wrapping paper 🎁

Generally, most wrapping paper is non-recyclable because of how it's made, so make sure to check the right procedure with your council before recycling. Before you throw it in the bin, do the Scrunch Test! If the paper stays scrunched, it's likely recyclable. However, if it springs back, it's probably foil-based and should go in general waste.

Better yet, get creative: try reusable fabric wraps, old newspapers, or paper bags decorated with festive doodles.

Cardboard boxes 📦

With all those online orders, your home might feel like a cardboard factory. Recycle this as soon as possible to he;p manufacturers keep the cycle moving. 

Batteries 🔋

Between fairy lights and new gadgets, you may use a few batteries this season. Remember to dispose of them at dedicated drop-off points in shops and town centres so they can be handled safely. 

Feast responsibly

Food waste🍗

Did you know that food waste is responsible for 6% of global greenhouse gas emissions? So before you shop, plan your meals carefully to avoid overbuying (and overspending)!

Got leftovers? Check out Love Food Hate Waste for clever ways to freeze and reuse food. You might even find a recipe for that half-eaten Christmas pudding.

Drinks🥤

Cheers to recycling! Aluminium cans and glass bottles are widely recyclable, so crush cans and stash bottles in your bin for easy sorting.

Plastic-free packaging ♻️

Many grocery shops bow offer fruit and veg in plastic-free packaging. Remember to bring your own paper bag or reusable bag on your next shopping trip to cut down on waste.

Let's make this festive season a sustainable one.