De-plasticising Christmas
Christmas is said to be the most magical time of the year, but it is also the most wasteful time of the year. Jillian from Little Green Larder has all the tips to reduce your impact on the planet this Christmas.
Written by: Jillian Elizabeth
Just picture it, stockings filled up with toys and gifts all wrapped under the tree. A table filled with Christmas food and smiling faces everywhere.
However, in the days that follow Christmas - cheaply produced plastic toys break, wrapping paper is binned and the streets are overflowing with rubbish bags that will not fit into the bins provided. Leftover food is wasted with Brits binning 2 million turkeys, 17 million brussel sprouts, and 74 million mince pies.
Did you know that over the festive period in the UK, 114,000 tonnes of plastic packaging goes to landfill, with a typical UK household generating over three black bags of packaging.
It doesn’t have to be this way. I’m Jillian and I own and run The Little Green Larder - Dundee’s sustainable shop. Today I am sharing my top tips on de-plasticising Christmas for you! Read on to learn how easy it is to have a sustainable Christmas.
1 - Buy Your Christmas Veg Loose
Head down to your local sustainable shop or greengrocer to pick up local fresh produce without planet-polluting plastic. Take your net bags and fill them up with exactly the amount you need. This will help to reduce food waste as you can buy the exact number of sprouts and potatoes you need.
2 - Do a DIY Calendar
Now it's time to get creative. Grab some chocolate coins, books, a bamboo toothbrush, some dried fruit, small wooden toys, and some imagination. Pop each item in a paper bag or wrap it with some recycled paper and number them 1 – 24. Make some scavenger hunts, include a letter to Santa and some Christmas quizzes and your kids will have so much fun unwrapping their DIY calendar every day.
3 - Say No to Plastic Tat
Do you need crackers with plastic toys that end up in the bin? Is a plastic tablecloth essential? When splitting up the leftovers do you need plastic sandwich bags or can you use old takeaway containers? Think about all of the plastic you use on Christmas day and decide if you need it or if you can go without? Even better can you find a sustainable alternative.
4 - Shop Locally
You are more likely to find gifts without plastic packaging when you shop with local independent businesses. Here you will often find unique items that have been handmade with care and love. The V&A shop has a beautiful selection of locally made gifts. You can also find The Little Green Larder Pop Up at The V&A Shop where we have a great selection of sustainable items that would make perfect gifts.
5 - Give Sustainable Gifts
Instead of buying plastic toys why not give wooden toys, books or recycled toys? Consumable gifts like wine, locally made chutneys and chocolates in compostable packaging are a perfect treat for a loved one, and homemade gifts like cookies, jams and baking kits are simple and thoughtful gifts to give.
6 - Plant a Tree
This year at The Little Green Larder we have started a mission to plant trees all around the world and you can join us. Head over to our website and decide how many trees you would like to plant and we will do the rest. These trees make the perfect gift for your staff, a great stocking filler, and a wonderful Secret Santa gift.
7 - Wrap Responsibly
Foiled and glittery paper cannot be recycled so instead opt for fully recyclable wrapping paper. Even better save gift bags, old wrapping paper, tissue, and packing paper and use it to wrap your presents. Brown paper packages tied up with string look so beautiful under the tree!
I hope you have enjoyed reading my guide to de-plasticising Christmas and that it has got you thinking about ways you can be sustainable during this festive period.