Twelve tips for a plastic-free Christmas

Christmas has a reputation for over-indulgence and waste, but it doesn’t need to. Reducing plastic consumption, recycling where possible, and purchasing considerately can reduce seasonal waste.

Use eco-friendly wrapping paper

Many commercial designs include glitter or plastic lamination that makes wrapping non-recyclable. To reduce waste, reuse paper saved from magazines and other sources throughout the year.

Alternatively, choose brown paper decorated with stamps or string. Add sprigs of holly, fir, or winter berries for a natural seasonal touch.

Find plastic-free tape

Brands like Sellotape have released zero-plastic plant-based sticky tape. However, these should be separated from paper before recycling.

Using paper-based packing tape means the wrapping can go straight into recycling, saving time.

Give eco-conscious gifts

Millions of pounds of unwanted gifts go to landfill each Christmas. This could be avoided with a little mindfulness.

Online vouchers allow people to choose for themselves, which avoids the disposal of an unwanted gift. You could also gift experiences or courses to learn a skill, instead of offering material objects.

Gifting plastic-free toiletries that don’t generate excessive household waste, as well as toys or household items, can encourage others to reduce their own consumption. Buying multiple gifts at once will also reduce overall shipping miles and packaging.

In addition, not all gifts need to be brand new. Pre-loved items – from vintage clothing to second-hand books – can gain new life as a gift, which also reduces waste.

If you’re given something you won’t use, re-gift it or donate it to charity so it doesn’t go to waste.

Donations as gifts

Why not ask for donations to environmental charities, instead of material presents? Be realistic about what you ‘need’ and let relatives know to avoid panic buying of unwanted gifts.

Eco-friendly Christmas cards

Choose cards sold without plastic sleeves or glitter. Cards that are laminated may not be recyclable if the plastic film can’t be separated from the paper. To further reduce waste, send ecards or make your own.

Plastic-free Christmas decorations

Make your own baubles and decorations from paper or saved materials to avoid the unnecessary plastic of tinsel and cheap decorations. If you’re buying baubles, choose glass, wood, or other natural materials.

Keep decorations from year to year rather than changing them out for a theme.

You could bring the natural world inside by using sprigs of seasonal foliage to decorate windowsills. Also try cutting and oven drying orange slices, for decorations that fill your home with seasonal aromas.

Solar-powered Christmas lights

Use outdoor lights that store energy from sunlight where possible, and ensure mains powered lights are switched off when you’re out or going to bed, to conserve energy.

Hundreds of tonnes of Christmas lights are discarded every year, so try replacing broken bulbs on light strings before buying new ones.

You could opt to forgo electric lights. Fill your rooms with natural candles for a traditional, cosy feel that saves energy. Of course, be sure to keep them far away from decorations.

Real Christmas trees

If you already own a plastic tree, don’t discard it to go plastic-free. Look after any existing plastic products to extend their usable lives.

If you do want to switch to real trees, donate plastic ones to charity.

Buy real trees from local, ethical growers approved by the Forestry Commission or Soil Association. Christmas trees in pots are the most sustainable, as they continue to grow and can be replanted after the festivities.

Plastic-free Christmas crackers

Easy availability of affordable eco-friendly Christmas crackers means poor quality plastic substitutes are no longer necessary. You can also make your own, so Christmas can still go off with a bang.

Eco-friendly Christmas food and drink

It's possible to prepare a celebratory meal without relying on plastic packaged goods. Find butchers and greengrocers who work with local, ethical farmers to reduce food miles. You can bring your own containers, such as our bagasse takeaway containers, to them to avoid plastic packaging.

Baking your own puddings and mince pies as a family festive treat will also reduce packaging waste.

When it comes to drinks, corked bottles are better than screw tops, which often contain plastic seals. It also helps that cork is a sustainable plant.

Aluminium is endlessly recyclable, so choose cans in boxes over plastic or glass bottles or those connected by plastic rings.

Focus on quality not quantity

Food waste from overzealous Christmas catering is a big issue. Shop locally, seasonally, and only buy what you need, with enough for a day of leftovers.

Make the most of your food: use bones for stock, leftover vegetables in a hearty soup, and discard peelings into compost.

Set the table sustainably

Bring natural and subtle style to your Christmas table with palm leaf and sugarcane bagasse tableware. Convenient compostable plates, bowls, and cutlery saves using energy, water, and detergent to wash up. There’s no worrying about your best crockery, nor time spent in isolation dealing with clean-up duty.

Environmentally friendly palm leaf dishware is strong enough to be cleaned and reused, so it doesn’t have to be single use. It’s also microwave and freezer safe – perfect for saving leftovers and reducing food waste. Cover with a beeswax wrap, and you’ll be set for turkey sandwiches and evening grazing.

At FOOGO Green we want sustainable catering to be as convenient as possible. All our environmentally friendly tableware is 100% compostable and free from harmful chemicals.

See our full range of sustainable, biodegradable dining products online.