Shop local
Whether it’s the turkey, the vegies or even the tree, buying locally means you reduce the emissions caused by road and air freight. And as a bonus, you’re supporting local businesses!
Clean green
Preparing the house for your guests’ arrival? Put down the industrial-strength chemical cleaners and reach for something more natural – there are plenty of effective eco-friendly cleaning products available to buy.
And once the day is done, be mindful of your clean-up. Only run the dishwasher when it’s full, and throw cloth napkins and tablecloths in with other laundry rather than doing a separate load.
Waste not
It’s easy to go overboard when you’re catering a Christmas meal, but once the day is done, all you’re left with is a fridge full of uneaten food. Reduce waste by really thinking about how many people you’re feeding and how much you need to make. That giant ham might look impressive, but if you’re only having a small get-together, it’s probably not necessary. There are only so many leftover ham sandwiches you can eat – and by just buying what you require, you’ll be helping your wallet as well as the environment.
TOP TIP: Get what you can from a bulk food shop, where you only buy what you need.
Plastic not fantastic
If you’re having the whole family over, it can be tempting to fall back on disposable plates and cutlery to save on washing up. But at the end of the day, these are just going to end up in landfill. So bring out that fine china – after all, when else do you get to use it? And why not try enlisting your loved ones to help with the clean-up afterwards, so you can all feel good about helping the planet.
Recycle
It may seem obvious – but given the amount of household waste you accumulate over Christmas, you need to make sure you’re recycling properly. Familiarise yourself with the guidelines regarding your recycling bin to make sure you’re using it effectively. For example, a common mistake people make is placing all their recyclable goods in plastic bags – which cannot go in the recycling bin. However, these soft plastics can often be recycled at your local supermarket.
