Easy ways to have a more eco-friendly, green Christmas
With climate change at the top of our minds at the moment, it's great that most of us are more away of our environmental impact this Christmas. But how do we still enjoy the festive season whilst keeping our planet in mind? It can be a bit overwhelming can't it?
It doesn't need to be, we've put together these 10 easy ways to tweak your habits and make this Christmas your most sustainable yet!
GIFT BUYING
1. Shop small!
I know, I know, we've said it before, but supporting small, local businesses is generally a great way to reduce the carbon footprint of your gifts. The chances of these small businesses souring their wares responsibly is much higher than bigger corporates. It's a really great way to boost our UK economy and encourage innovation amongst some fantastic equestrian creatives.
2. Stop buying crap
That last minute gift-pack covered in layers of plastic you bought from the supermarket? Hmm, it's probably not the most eco-friendly way to treat your loved ones. Start shopping early to give yourself time to think about the gifts that your friends and family need and will love. Less is most definitely more when it comes to being sustainable
3. Choose gifts with less packaging
There are SO many beautiful, hand-crafted gifts that don't come covered in plastic. Remember that huge pile of rubbish that seems to accumulate through the unwrapping process in your house? See if you can cut that in half! We've put together 10 gift boxes that are free-from ANY plastic wrapping and can be a really lovely way to introduce fellow horse lovers to sustainable equestrian-wear and horse care.
4. Zero waste cards
Did you know that you can plant Christmas Cards and Gift Vouchers? Well, you can if they're printed on seed paper. Our gift cards are printed using non-toxic inks that biodegrade when planted. So your gift can keep on giving even after it's been spent.
FOOD
5. Choose locally sourced food whenever you can.
You’ll use fewer food miles, less packaging and you can feel confident that you haven’t supported any intensive farming practices.
6. Waste less.
Only buy what you know you'll eat. We know it's tempting to buy the family-sized back of sprouts, but think back to what you threw away last year and buy less of it.
WRAPPING
7. Do the scrunch test.
If you can scrunch up your wrapping paper in your hands and it stays scrunched, it can be recycled. What many of us don't realise is that many rolls contain non-recyclable elements like foil, glitter or plastic. You can tell if it unfolds of it's own accord.
8. Pick a paper tape.
Sellotape is made from unrecyclable plastic and renders any recycled wrapping paper unrecyclable if it's not peeled off. Let's face it, who wants to sit there on Christmas Day peeling off sellotape? We're now stocking this stunning Christmas paper tape so you can pretty-up your gifts and recycle everything once they've been opened.
DECORATING
9. Rent a Christmas Tree
Did you know that you can rent your Christmas tree? Instead of letting your tree die and discarding it in January, how lovely would it be to return it to the ground, to continue collecting carbon and providing habitat for local wildlife? It works out cheaper too!
10. Avoid single use decorations
Those paper napkins you buy every year? Swap them for fabric ones that will last you a lifetime. Making Christmas crackers is also a great way to reduce waste. Fill them with jokes that are actually funny and zero waste gifts and you're onto a real winner.
If you want to find fabulous plastic free gifts, check out our gift guides.
Enjoy your more sustainable Christmas!
