A Sustainable Christmas Day
Opening presents? is the wrapping paper recyclable? If the paper can only go into the general waste, try to open your presents carefully and consider reusing it for next year, even if it was used for gift tags or small gifts. If the paper is recyclable, make sure you take off all the sticky tape as that cant be recycled.
Christmas dinner, sustainable style
Raising the Turkeys requires heaps of energy. The meat and chicken require a lot fewer carbon emissions than beef, pork or lamb but raising the birds still causes some environmental impacts such as; operating machines and keeping the meat chilled. So, if you want to be even more sustainable this Christmas, consider a meatless dinner! If you are opting for the meat, make sure to source from local farmers, shops and butchers rather than big-branded supermarkets.
When it comes to veggies, source them locally or even consider growing your own...how about that New Years Resolution? Why not get ready for next years Christmas dinner! If you are boiling your vegetables, use the kettle to part boil your pans instead of boiling the pan water from cold as this uses more energy to heat the water than it would boil.
When making your Christmas dinner, consider portions; don't overdo the quantities; if you do, don't throw it! Instead, consider putting up a plate for a vulnerable neighbour or a local homeless shelter. If you have nowhere it can go, save the leftovers for the next day to make another meal!
Re-gifting, it's a good thing
We have all been there when you get a gift you didn't want, or you put it in a drawer and forget about it. It's simple, smile, act like you love it and place it in a box in your home where you can re-gift it next year - to someone different, obviously!
Next year, comnsider buying gifts from local small business, its supports them but if its local to you instead of travelling to the nearest shopping centre, then you can most likely walk!