Tony's Tips #8: Sustainable Christmas
Christmas is a time when our consumption and waste reach a peak, driven by expectations. But this year a lot more of us are looking to save money and energy, to enjoy the festivities with more care for the environment. Here are some things we’ll be doing that might help you too:
- Christmas Tree - If you already have a plastic Christmas tree, you could use it rather than buying a new one or a cut tree - but get some LED lights for it and don’t leave them on all the time! If you get a cut tree, please dispose of it through the Council collection so it will be composted. Or how about hiring a live tree that is returned and replanted: christmasonthehill.co.uk
- Flowers - Flowers are a traditional seasonal treat, but out-of-season cut flowers are costly to the environment: either flown in from Africa or grown in Europe in heated greenhouses. Instead, you could plant bulbs like hyacinths, amaryllis or narcissi in a pot now to flower at Christmas, and then plant them in your garden in the spring.
- Decorations: Make your own decorations by foraging in the park or garden for seed heads, berries, fir cones and foliage: www.gardensillustrated.com/christmas decorations
- Christmas Dinner: Try a smaller turkey or a chicken instead, which reduces cooking time and energy. Or leave out meat altogether with a nut roast: www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/nut-loaf. Prefer British seasonal vegetables such as potatoes, parsnips, carrots, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts and leeks.
- Gifts: We spend on average about £600 on presents, and about one in five is unwanted. You could get lists from your children, and small value eco-friendly or no waste gifts between adults, or a gift you have made such as a cake or a knitted garment or a story, or a gift of friendship, such as cycling together on the Lee Valley towpath or to Hampstead Heath.
- Cards and Wrapping: Paper-making has a high environmental cost in terms of deforestation, and consumes a lot of water and energy. Can you cut down on the cards you send, and use recycled paper for wrapping gifts? Can you recycle all the paper you do use? It is best to avoid metallic and sparkly paper which is not recyclable and ends up in the incinerator. Tie gifts with reusable ribbon instead of sticky tape.
- Take a break outdoors: How about turning down the heating a couple of degrees, switching off telephones and taking family and friends for a walk or cycle to one of Enfield’s beautiful parks such as Broomfield, Trent, Grovelands, Firs Farm wetlands, Forty Hall, Whitewebbs, or HillyFields: www.family-action.org.uk/our-voices/2019/12/19/17756/?
- Food Waste: Let’s try not to waste food!. Buy only what you think you will need, use up left-overs (there are lots of good ideas on line such as www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/top-25-ways-turkey-leftovers) and freeze what can be saved for another time.
