With Christmas just around the corner, it’s important to look at ways to minimise your environmental impact this holiday season.
Here are a few ways you can make your Christmas eco-friendly.
Christmas tree
Plastic trees can seem like the best option for many families — they’re affordable, they look like a real tree and are far less messy.
However, they can be made of non-recyclable materials that are potentially hazardous to the environment.
Instead of throwing away your old tree each year, see if you can use it again or go for something a little different once it’s well and truly worn out.
Wooden Christmas trees are making the rounds at the moment. Pinterest-obsessed mums will be green with envy over a sleek, timber tree adorned with decorations.
Wrapping paper
Did you know that not all wrapping paper is recyclable? Paper with glitter, foil, plastic coating and metallic flakes can’t be placed in the recycling bin, meaning it goes straight to landfill.
So to be more eco-friendly this Christmas, consider sourcing recyclable wrapping paper from stores around town.
If you’re feeling a little creative and have already hit the shops to get your festive goods, don’t be afraid to reuse the tissue paper used to wrap up your pressies.
Recycling will save more than 8000 tonnes of wrapping paper going to waste — that’s enough paper to cover Bondi Beach 68 times!
Deck the halls
Instead of buying new decorations each year, upcycling or recycling your older decorations can be just as good.
Decorating, painting or simply covering your old decorations can be great options to help you be eco-friendly, and you can find all you need to complete the mission here in the Goulburn Valley.
If you’re after a more organic feel, holly branches and pine cones are the perfect way to give your home that rustic Christmas aesthetic. Try contacting local florists to source your goods.
Bag it up
When you’re out and about on the hunt for the perfect gift, be a little kinder to the earth and pack some bags for the trip to avoid using store plastic bags.
In saying that, we know how tricky it can be to remember on top of everything else going on, especially around Christmas, so if you’re caught out we suggest opting for paper bags or buying a reusable bag from the store.