[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text][eltd_dropcaps type=”normal” color=”” background_color=””]W[/eltd_dropcaps]ith the festive season just around the corner, it’s likely your house is about to start filling up with gifts to give to your loved ones. Plus, an abundance of festive wrapping paper, ribbons, gift tags and bags. And that’s not to mention the packaging all the gifts came in. From shopping bags for your in-store sprees to cardboard boxes and plastic bags from those late night online orders.
The festivities and the pandemic aren’t the only things on everyone’s mind as of late; our planet is as well. Climate change is currently having a significant and harmful effect on the planet. Our sea levels are rising at an accelerating rate, wildfires are becoming more and more common, as are heatwaves, storms and droughts.
And, now more than ever, we are trying to do something about it. We are all starting to make small changes. Swapping out single-use plastic for reusable versions, trying to use public transport or walking instead of using the car, and cutting down on the amount of meat and dairy we consume. These are just some of the things we the public, as a collective, are trying to do in order to save our planet.
Because after all, there isn’t a replacement.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”2/3″][vc_column_text]
Having a Sustainable Christmas
Trying to be more sustainable in your gifting process this Christmas is one more thing we can do in order to produce less waste. Recycling in the UK is already saving around 10-15 million tonnes of the equivalent in CO2 each year. This is equivalent to taking 3.5 million cars off the road. Thinking ‘green’ this year will only add to these numbers.
We’re not saying that we should give up the idea of Christmas and gift giving altogether. We just need to think of a more conscious way of going about it. It is estimated that each year we dispose of around 108 million rolls of wrapping paper during the festive season. Even the wrapping paper we do try to recycle, often isn’t actually recyclable. Festive wrapping that contains plastic, dye, foil, glitter or leftover tape can’t be recycled in anyway.
But, as it’s too late to change the past, we can always aim to improve moving forwards. So what are the alternatives?
Sustainable Christmas Wrapping Paper
Brown paper is a popular sustainable choice to use for wrapping your gifts this year. It may be more plain than usual, but as it is a recyclable material, it heads to the top of the list. However, if you’re still after something a little bit extra this year, sourcing recycled and recyclable wrap is the next stop on the ‘saving the planet one step at a time’ checklist. Not On The High Street stock Sophia Victoria Joy – an eco-friendly and screen printed right here in Britain brand of 100% recycled paper. Or, try some reusable fabric gift wrap for something a little different.
And once you’ve sourced your recycled wrap, your choice of ribbons are next to check off. Ditch the plastic ribbon that will inevitably end up in the landfill in the new year. Instead, head to ‘eco-craft’ for the locally manufactured twool (jute, cotton and wool twine) to add your touch to those gifts this year.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”2405″ img_size=”large” alignment=”right”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]
Small Changes Have A Big Impact
It may not seem as though swapping out wrapping paper and ribbon is going to help our planet in anyway. After all, we’re all only one person and what can we do? But if you stop getting wrapped up (sorry) in the excitement of the festive season, take a step back to think about the planet. In doing so, encourage one other person too and in turn they can help spread the message. This seemingly small change can affect climate change in a big way when multiplied across the population.
It may have taken us longer than it should have to realise the damage we are causing to our planet. It may be taking activists such as Greta Thunberg and even the nations favourite man David Attenborough to open our eyes to the issue. But it doesn’t mean we are too late to do what we can in order to save it.
Whether it’s using reusable plastic bags and coffee cups, opting to ride the bus to work, or thinking more about how we’re going to wrap our gifts this Christmas. Making small changes everyday are all steps in the right direction.
Go green and have a more conscious, sustainable Christmas this year.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]