Christmas is a great time to treat yourself and indulge in all your favourite things, but should we be worried about the effect our festivities could be having on the planet?
There are lots of ways to have a more environmentally friendly Christmas this year without sacrificing any of the fun, so whether you’re just beginning your eco journey or you’re a fully fledged eco warrior having an enjoyable green Christmas is easy. We’re sharing all our top tips from ProCook HQ staff but don’t forget to leave a comment or send us a message on Instagram if you think we’ve missed any!
Avoid single use gifts
We’ve all done it, picked up fun novelty gifts ‘for something extra to open’ that ultimately end up in the bin once the festive season is over. The problem is that the few minutes of fun these gifts offer are shortlived, and their packaging is often made from non-recyclable plastic and bear little consideration for the environment.
This year opt for presents that are designed to last, and with so many great options out there we’re certain you’ll be able to find the perfect present even for the pickiest person on your list. If you’re looking for something that is practical and eco-friendly, how about a reusable water bottle or coffee cup? With a number of designs available there is sure to be one to suit all your loved ones, and come with a healthy dose of the feel good factor as 10% of each sale is donated to Life’s a Beach who help fund beach cleans across the UK and promote the use of multiple use items.
Life’s a Beach Stainless Steel Water Bottles
Choose green wrapping materials
No, we don’t mean the colour green (although that would be very festive!), but using wrapping that can either be reused or recycled. Did you know that most wrapping paper is not recyclable? When shopping for wrapping paper this year avoid any with foil or glitter as these cannot be recycled, and put your paper through the scrunch test – if it bounces back it’s recyclable, result! Alternatively why not offer two gifts in one by wrapping presents in a beautiful scarf, or opting for plain brown paper tied up with a ribbon that can be kept and used again next year?
Stuck for ideas? We love this video filled with great eco ideas for wrapping gifts without sacrificing on style:
No need to scrimp on fun with our eco-conscious crackers
They’re a staple at a Christmas table, but crackers are one of the worst-offenders when it comes to the waste recorded at Christmas. Made from non-recyclable materials and filled with throwaway plastic toys, by simply buying eco-friendly crackers this year a small change could have a massive effect on the levels of waste recorded.
We’re delighted to announce that this year we’ve launched two sets of fully recyclable crackers (you’ll just need to trim the powdered section off the snapper inside) in beautifully festive designs. In place of the usual single use plastic toys, you’ll find a selection of multiple use kitchen accessories and gadgets but don’t panic – you’ll still find the traditional Christmas hat and corny joke that we all know and love in there too.
Plan for a zero-waste meal
Shop organic and local where you can and plan your meals in advance to avoid falling into a frenzy once you reach the supermarket. Create a list before you go and stay strict with yourself to minimise the amount thrown away once your guests have left, and don’t forget to make a note of any special dietary requirements so you don’t create big batches of food that only a few can eat.
It’s easy to pick up readymade food for convenience at Christmas, especially when cooking for the masses, but as much of this comes in non-recyclable plastic trays making things yourself in advance is a great way to relieve stress on the big day whilst avoiding unnecessary plastic. Stuck for recipe ideas? You can browse our Christmas recipes here. In need of new cookware, knives and tableware this year? We have everything you could need to throw the ultimate Christmas gathering.
A zero-waste Christmas is easy when you prepare in advance
Deck the halls with boughs of holly
No, we mean it! Many Christmas decorations are made from non-recyclable plastic that ultimately find their way to landfill so why not bring the outdoors in this year and decorate with holly, ivy, fir and eucalyptus? With a little care and attention, decorations foraged from nature can last the entire Christmas period and will add a beautiful festive fragrance to your home.
If bringing nature indoors isn’t quite what you envisaged this Christmas, opt for decorations made from glass, wood and recyclable paper in place of plastic and try to avoid trend pieces that you may not want in a year’s time.
Making a Christmas wreath at home is surprisingly easy, just check out this simple tutorial below:
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