Published: Thursday 9 December 2021
By using up leftovers, recycling your Christmas tree and making your own decorations, you can limit the impact our celebrations have on the environment.
Here are our top tips for a greener Christmas:
• Send Cyber wishes - Cut down on paper and card by sending e-Christmas cards or make your own Christmas GIF to send to your friends and family.
• Shop sustainably - Challenge your family to buy second-hand gifts or make your own. Try baking cookies or knitting scarves planning a fun day out with loved ones works as well.
• Tree rental: Check Garden centres and plant nurseries that are offering a Christmas tree hire service over the festive season. This way the tree can be reused next year.
• Have a plant-based Christmas Dinner. Eating more plant-based meals and buying locally produced seasonal products helps reduce your carbon footprint. Use this handy guide to see what fruits and vegetables are in season every week of the year: http://www.eattheseasons.co.uk/
• Make your own decorations - Avoid investing in new plastics and foils by making your own Christmas decorations from recyclable materials at home. Use old jam jars as candle holders or make a wreath from bottle corks.
• Be a responsible wrapper - Try wrapping your presents in recycled newspaper. You could also try wrapping gifts in festive material or scarves that can be reused.
• Make a list, check it twice - Supermarket shopping is this time of year can be difficult and you may be tempted to buy more than needed. Make a list and stick to it. You can find Christmas leftovers recipes at www.lovefoodhatewaste.com.
• Compost your Christmas tree - Last year Kensington and Chelsea residents recycled 80 tonnes of real trees for composting. We will compost your tree for free. Just drop it at a designated location around the borough from Sunday 2 – Sunday 23 January 2022. Visit our Christmas Tree Recycling Page for more information.
• Wash and squash your recycling - Much of the things you use on Christmas day can be recycled. Check out our A-Z of recycling list. Remember to rinse out food and drink and squash plastics before you recycle.
Cllr Johnny Thalassites, the Lead Member for Planning, Place and Environment said:
“We know protecting the environment is a top priority for many of our residents. Last year they recycled 80 tonnes of real trees for composting. This Christmas we are offering the same free Christmas tree compost service. There are a lot of creative ways to reduce the impact our celebrations have on the environment, from making your own gifts to choosing recyclable wrapping paper.”