Christmas, the time of year that we spend with family, giving gifts, celebrations, connection, while overeating and drinking with a promise to ourselves that we will change next year.
This is also the time of year that waste, energy use and consumption quietly spike. But there is good news!! We can still make smart choices without sacrificing the celebrations or connection. With a few intentional and conscious choices, we can celebrate in ways that feel good, do better, and set us up for a brighter 2026.
Rethink the Gift, Keep the Generosity
Consider the age of the recipient of your gift. Every year, we hear “they prefer playing with the box than the toy!”, so is there a different thing you could buy for them that they will love? Are you buying something just so they have something to open which inevitably ends up wasted?
Could you consider a gift card for somewhere close to their heart? Although a gift card may not have the same sentiment, you are ensuring that they get something they actually want. Experience days that the recipient may not have considered trying before gives a “I saw this and thought of you” while reducing the environmental impact.
Wrap it like RunDMC
Not all wrapping paper is created equal. Just because it appears to be paper does not mean it’s recyclable and when the non-recyclable paper gets into the recycling bin, it’s usually considered cross contamination, and the entire bin goes to incineration. These simple actions are actually reducing the recycling efforts that the waste contractors are committed to.
So how do we know if it’s recyclable?
Do the scrunch test. If you give it a scrunch and it stays scrunched and creased, it is usually recyclable. If it straightens out more than it doesn’t, it is likely not recyclable. Usually, glittered and foil finish wrapping paper is not recyclable.
Consider wrapping your gifts in brown paper with string. You can even stamp the paper with Christmas images to “make your own” wrapping paper. This rustic look will fit in perfectly under any Christmas tree while remaining fully recyclable.
This activity alone is the epitome of circular economy by having the recyclability intentionally in mind before the act of giving has taken place.
Are they Real or Artificial?
The real answer here is how long you keep it. Artificial trees are more energy intensive to produce. However, if you buy a tree that you plan to keep for years to come, this is more environmentally friendly than cutting down a real tree while remaining recyclable afterward all those years. You may consider that real trees don’t take in that much carbon in the time it has grown and therefore there is not much impact, but these trees are part of an ecosystem providing homes, shelter and habitats for a variety of animals and bugs.
If you usually buy an artificial tree and get a new one each year, there are definitely improvements that can be made with your choices.
Eat, Enjoy, Reduce Waste
Food Waste and cardboard waste rise sharply in December. Waste contractors start planning for the spike in cardboard waste especially in November by trying to empty their skips ready for the influx. With a little pre-planning, you can celebrate your Christmas without overflowing your bin and having to have emergency tip runs.
Instead of buying lots of little gifts, each with their own cardboard box, buy less gifts that are more meaningful. Quality over quantity.
Plan portion sizes realistically. Can you plan your Christmas meals based on per head instead of various plates in the middle of the table for people to choose from. People tend to be polite and don’t want to take the last piece of turkey or the last few roast potatoes in case someone else had their eye on them. This politeness causes food waste, yet we are currently living in a society that is reliant on food banks. Serving plates with portions already set can reduce this.
Freeze leftovers. Food doesn’t need to go in the bin. It can go to another meal via the freezer.
Be creative with next day meals. Turkey or Chicken carcasses and Ham make terrific soups. Beef can be put into sandwiches. Christmas Yorkshire pudding wraps have been trending in the past few years and make incredible and tasty uses of the leftovers.
Light Up, Like a child at Christmas
Christmas is the time when the energy use spikes due to the increased number of lamps within our decorations. LED lights use far less energy, last longer, give a much brighter light and you don’t have to find the singular lamp that tapped the loft ladders and now doesn’t work.
Add timers to your lighting setups so they only come on when needed and nobody forgets or assumes the other person had turned off the lights.
Cheap lights are false economy. If you’re putting lights outside, always check for the correct IP rating, ideally IP65 as a minimum but IP67 or 68 if possible. IP65 offer protection from wind, rain and dust making them ideal to be in the elements. IP60 offer dust protection but are not water resistant, making the lights rust in the loft without you knowing until you get them back out next year. Buying IP65 rated lights will mean you don’t have to buy a new set every year and reduce waste. Don’t forget, broken lights are classed as hazardous waste under WEEE regulations and should be disposed of appropriately.
Approach 2026 with Purpose
New year is a time where we try to implement something to do better. Why not add a sustainability resolution this year? Just one small change that could ripple into something bigger. Switch to renewable energy. Improve recycling. Buy less gifts but focus on something meaningful.
This festive season, let’s celebrate in a way that is joyful, full of connection but with a responsible tomorrow. Together, we can make sustainable the new standard and make Christmas evergreen.
Featured News
12 December 2025
