As we dive into the joyful chaos of Christmas, it’s more important than ever to make sustainable choices. The festive season is one of the most wasteful times of year, with over-consumption, high carbon emissions and increased demand for resources likes paper and plastic – all of which take a toll on our environment.
That’s why Surrey Environment Partnership (SEP) has put together a quick guide to help you stay green this Christmas:
Be mindful with your festive feasts
- Make a list and check it twice! Avoid overbuying by planning your food shops in advance and sticking to your shopping list.
- When preparing meals, be realistic about portion sizes and store ingredients correctly to keep your treats fresher for longer.
- Don’t let food go to waste. Whether it’s maple-glazed gammon, a small mountain of sprouts or the final slice of yule log, spruce up your leftovers and use them to whip up another tasty meal. Don’t forget to check out our quick and easy recipes!
- Any food that cannot be eaten should always be recycled in your kitchen caddy. All cooked and uncooked food can be recycled, including meat bones, vegetable peelings and anything past its use-by-date.
Secret Santas always shop sustainably
- Thoughtful gifts and festive decorations don’t have to brand new to be wonderful. This Christmas, consider shopping pre-loved at your local charity, zero-waste or Revive shop.
- Shopping online? Resist priority shipping and have items delivered together to cut emissions. Where possible, choose for your items to be delivered in their original packaging to reduce excess wrapping.
‘Tis the season to recycle
- Wrapping paper, Christmas cards, envelopes and cardboard can be recycled if they are dry and don’t contain foil, glitter, plastic or batteries.
- Batteries should always be removed and recycled separately, either through your kerbside collection or at a local recycling point. Find a location near you by visiting our handy search tool.
For more helpful tips and tricks on staying sustainable over the Christmas, follow SEP on Facebook and Instagram.