Sustainability is a really important thing for many consumers today, especially younger generations like Gen Z. So, making Christmas more sustainable is a very hot topic at the moment. There is a lot to think about, and plenty of opportunities to help the environment this festive season. We want to have a closer look here, including exploring the use of sustainable foils.
Wrapping paper
One of the biggest waste streams at Christmas time is wrapping paper. The stats are scary, with Defra estimating we use an incredible 227,000 miles of it every year in the UK. That’s an astonishing 108 million rolls, so around 4 per household.
Reducing how much wrapping paper we use is a really great way to improve sustainability this Christmas. Plus, making sure you choose recyclable paper and put it in your recycling bin is fantastic. Plain paper works well, especially if you add bows and other elements. If you want details, choosing papers and sustainable foils is a great idea.
Trees
A key thing to look at is your tree. It’s the most important piece of decor for Christmas. However, it can produce a significant amount of waste. Stats claim as many as 8 million real trees are disposed of every year. It generates an incredible 12,000 tonnes of waste. On top of that, many old artificial trees go to landfill.
There are a number of ways to be more sustainable with Christmas trees. A fun option is to choose a real tree you can plant afterwards. There are also services to rent trees. If you do buy a real tree, ensure you dispose of it carefully. The best option is to choose services that will recycle it to create things like chippings for parks and gardens. If you have an artificial tree to dispose of, think about donating it or take it to a recycling centre.
Cards and crackers
Like wrapping paper, cards and crackers are responsible for a significant amount of waste every Christmas. Government figures say a billion cards are sold every year. Other data claims 40 million crackers go in the bin. If you want to improve sustainability, think carefully about what you choose and disposal. Cards and crackers safe for recycling, particularly those that feature sustainable foils, are a good choice. You could even try making your own with foil details.
Food
Christmas is a time for indulging, including big dinners, lots of desserts, and all kinds of chocolates and treats. However, a lot of people overbuy and throw things away. On top of that, there is a huge amount of packaging to think about. It means there can be a significant increase in waste during the festive period.
There are a few key things to think about here if you want to be more sustainable. Shopping local is best, especially if you go direct to the source such as farmer’s markets and butchers. Think carefully about how much you actually need. In addition, plan ahead and make sure you can freeze things or make preserves. Be careful with the packaging too, ensuring you recycle what you can, including aluminium foil.
Talk to us about sustainable foils
As you can see, there are lots of opportunities to improve sustainability at Christmas. We’re happy to help, specialising in supplying foil and laminate for a wide range of applications. They are a great option for all kinds of products. Additionally, we’re happy to advise clients about how to use them effectively.
So, if you want to explore sustainable foils and laminates, please get in touch with us. We’re happy to help and have a real passion for improving sustainability and recycling.