It’s A Wrap!
It’s almost the end of 2022 and Christmas is around the corner.
We thought this would be the perfect time to look at ways to make it a green eco-friendly Christmas.
Packaging is one of the biggest contributors to landfills, apparently, in Australia alone, we use 150 000km of wrapping paper! I despair when you walk into supermarkets and toy shops and everything is packaged pristinely in plastic.
Going on this journey to sustainability has made me look more carefully at where I’m using plastic and I was shocked to see how much I wasted. I believe if we all just broke down the festive season into the various aspects and work on making each area just a little more eco-friendly that would make a huge difference in trying to make Christmas a lot more sustainable.
Here are some suggestions:
#1. Buying Australian-made products
Buying locally sourced Aussie products is a great way to cut back on carbon emissions. This works with everything, from the food we buy to the gifts we give.
#2. Buying food that’s in season
Buy from your local independent stores such as the local butcher, baker, and greengrocer. This
cuts out lots of plastic packaging and is a great way to support your community and build relationships.
#3. Using sustainable packaging
Wrapping your gift with a gift for example making some homemade preserves and wrapping them in a beautiful dishcloth or scarf. You can even use a beautiful shopping bag to present your gift.
#4. Using eco-friendly gift wrap
Companies such as earthgreetings.com.au have some beautifully designed eco-friendly packaging. It’s 100% recycled paper printed with vegetable-based ink and is carbon neutral. Another option is to use recycled paper and Forest Stewardship Council FSC-certified materials.
#5. Buying an eco-friendly Christmas tree
A plastic tree on average needs to be used for 12 years to offset its carbon footprint so growing and keeping your own Christmas tree is definitely more eco-friendly otherwise there are so very creative ways to create your own Christmas tree. Visit Pinterest for some fun ideas, one of my personal favourites is the Christmas tree made from old books.
#6. Gift something that can help someone be more sustainable
Think of, a cute kitchen compost bin, worm farm planter, or native beehive hotel. Visit
banish.com.au for amazing Australian produce. Other gift options are experiences, such as buying tickets to the theatre,
which is a great way to support the arts, or failing that a voucher for a good restaurant. Donating to a charity on the
behalf of your loved one is also an idea, there are many charities that would love your support.
Craft your own Christmas ornaments
It’s also a beautiful way to spend family time together.
