Have Yourself a Greener Little Christmas…
Andy Williams had it right, Christmas truly is “the most wonderful time of the year.” Apart from Nozstock weekend, of course.
There’s nothing we like more than a mulled wine and a creative ‘elf-on-the-shelf’ instalment. But everyone who has ever hauled a bag of unwanted gifts up the attic on Boxing Day, or forced their way through that third plate of cheese, knows it’s also a time of great excess. We all know that cutting down on our waste is important, and even more so now we find ourselves in the midst of a climate emergency.
So, we thought we would share with you a few ways you can still have your cake (or mince pie!) and eat it….
- Speaking of mince pies – as much as we can’t imagine ever walking away from a box of those tasty morsels before it’s 100% empty, it’s estimated 74 million mince pies get thrown away over the Christmas period. According to the Soil Association, “food is the single most important, everyday way for people to reduce their own environmental impact.”
- Think local – Our Xmas dinners travel a combined 49 000 food miles. Be aware of what you will actually use and try not to overbuy. Use any leftovers for New Year recipes – visit www.lovefoodhatewaste.com for meal inspiration. Don’t forget to compost your veg peelings and lose the plastic packaging – we like our vegetables loose. Try choosing organic and free-range, and make Noz happy – support small-scale farming wherever possible.
- Those presents look super-inviting under the tree but we all know wrapping is a huge plastic problem. There’s lots of easy ways to be a bit more green. Reuse and recycle wherever you can, try homemade gifts, buy local, buy less, but why not try a scarf or brown paper and pretty string instead? Better yet ditch wrapped presents altogether – Nozstock ticket, anyone?
- Decorating your Christmas tree may well be your favourite most twinkly-eyed moment of the season but there’s ways you can make it even better by hanging up a dose of eco-smugness too. Switch to LED Lights which use 80% less energy, and make sure you turn those fairys off before bedtime. Try natural items such as pine cones or seashells for unique and beautiful trimmings.
- If you have a real tree, do consider where they have come from. Buy from a source registered with the British Christmas Tree Growers’ Association, where strict guidelines are followed regarding wildlife protection and sustainable seeds. Last year only 10% of Christmas trees were recycled. Help to change that statistic. Check with your local council or gardening centres for tree recycling information. Or if you’re particularly green fingered, why not get a living tree and keep it around for years to come?
- “Driving Home for Christmas” is a classic Crimbo floor filler but festive travel adds more eco nasties, releasing gallons of CO2. Reducing travel with a wintery walk or sharing journeys where you can has a big impact.
- Each family throws out approximately five sacks of extra waste of Christmas. Really think before you buy, and before you throw. The energy saved by recycling just one aluminium can is enough to run a television for three hours. Every little you do really will make a difference, and as far as we are concerned, that is the gift that keeps on giving…
As 2019 draws to a close, we wish you all a Christmas that’s merry and bright. We can’t wait to share what we have in store for you in 2020. Until then, keep enjoying cosy fireplaces and those cheesy, yuletide tunes. And summer won’t be far away, folks.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, Nozstockers! X
