Have yourself a waste-free Christmas

Dec 4, 2020

3 min read

Updated: Jan 11, 2021

We love this time of year when you can really unleash your creativity and style your home with panache for the festive season. But what about the effect on the environment? While concerns for our planet grow, we should all be mindful of less waste and the devastating impact that Christmas can have on our landfill sites.

Non-recyclable greeting cards, plastic decorations and gift wrap in particular have a hugely detrimental impact on the natural world. Did you know that over 100 million rolls of Christmas paper could be thrown out this year as the plastic coating, dye or glitter means that it cannot be recycled? So, how can you enjoy an eco-friendly, sustainably-minded Christmas still brimming with festivity and style?

Credits - Pinterest: House & Garden

Wrapping

Choosing more sustainable gift-wrapping options is a great way to significantly reduce your consumption this Christmas. First, it’s worth pulling out everything you already have in order to see what you really need. Reuse old bags and wrapping paper if you’ve already had the foresight to keep it.

Craft Paper: Brown craft paper and string can be a stylish, sustainable wrapping option which is a glitter-free and much easier to recycle than many types of Christmas paper. It can also be reused if unstuck carefully. You can also add some greenery and foliage to give your presents a fabulous natural look.

Alternative options: Try wrapping parcels in old newspapers, magazines and offcuts of fabric. Furushiki is the Japanese art of wrapping items in cloth which can be anything from a scarf, scrap of fabric, tea towel or anything else you might have.

Credits - Pinterest: A Pair & A Spare, Dyke & Dean, Anthropologie, Hello Smitten, Architectural Digest & Jane Means

Decorations

For many of us decorating the house symbolizes the start of the Christmas season. You can use nature as your inspiration and get foraging near your home or go full on vintage glam combining old family favorites with the amazing selection of antique decorations out there.

Natural and homemade decorations: Foliage, pinecones, sticks and holly are the perfect seasonal touch to a festive styling scheme. Forage in your local area in the lead-up to Christmas day. A string of Christmas cards, biscuits threaded onto ribbon or dried citrus fruit make great bunting-style decorations.

For creative-types, there are plenty of online tutorials to teach you how to make your own wreath using a whole range of different materials from pom-poms and fabric to ornaments and more traditional greenery.

Credits - Pinterest: Peggy Porschen, Kelly Brown & Fox Fodder Farm

Buy second-hand or go vintage: Buying second-hand is one of the best zero waste solutions and preloved does not necessarily mean worn out. Or you can go vintage, we love those old family decorations that emerge every year - making them instantly sustainable.

Credits - Pinterest: Little Scandinavian, Le Petit Chou Chou, Madelief Blog

Shop small: If you do want to expand your collection, look to companies such as Nkuku for designs made from brass, glass and wood. Support local and independent businesses, such as homeware company Lulo & co, who sell unique sustainable decorations like crackers, baubles and stockings. For candles, choose eco-friendly soy or beeswax varieties – we like The Botanical Candle Co.

Credits - Instagram: Nkuku, Lulu & Co & The Botanical Candle Co

Christmas Tree

There are lots of things you can do to ensure your Christmas tree is as sustainable as possible.

If you buy a real tree, ensure that it has been grown as locally as possible and has the ‘Grown in Britain’ label or Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) ‘seal of approval’, which guarantees your tree has reached environmental standards. Use bctga.co.uk or growninbritain.org to find growers near you.

Recycle, reuse or rent your tree: Every year millions of trees are dumped in January. If you’ve purchased a tree with roots still attached, repot it to be used again next year. There are also lots of tree rental services now, that will collect your tree after the Christmas period and re-plant it for next year. Alternatively, for rootless trees, check your local council’s website and make sure it goes into your local recycling scheme.

Credits - Pinterest: House & Garden

Alternative Tree: For an even more sustainable option, think outside the box. Don’t restrict yourself to the standard pine. Decorating other plants and potted trees creates a unique, stylish festive feature.