For Day Two of the Sustainable Christmas Initiative, we focus on the theme of ‘Waste.’ Each Christmas, “around 5 extra sacks […] of waste are produced per household,” which roughly equates to “an extra 1.4 tonnes CO2,” being produced annually through human consumption.
This waste is being created through a range of festive activities; via food, wrapping paper, unwanted Christmas gifts, and the perpetual stream of Christmas cards being sent across the globe!
Nonetheless, there are a range of easy and effective ways that we as a society can counteract this waste production and make small changes to our festive plans in order to protect the planet.
- Firstly, there’s the never-ending Christmas tree debate; should it be real or fake? Contradictory opinions aside, a “locally-sourced potted tree,” is optimal, and can later be planted outside as a new addition to your growing green garden!
- Secondly, items like Christmas cards and wrapping paper are easily reusable – for example, “by cutting off the piece that contains last year’s message,” you can create a unique Christmas postcard.
- Thirdly, instead of buying a new glitzy outfit for the big day, why not have a root in your wardrobe and dig out an old gem to show off again on Christmas Day, and save on carbon emissions?
- And finally – consider exploring zero waste gifts, or gifts that come with minimum waste. Make something for your loved ones; buy second-hand, or browse your local zero-waste shops.
All in all, the GAP message is: Get creative this holiday season; challenge yourself and Go Green this Christmas!