12 Ways You Can Have a More Eco-Friendly Christmas in 2021

Christmas may be the most magical time of the year, but the season can come at a catastrophic ecological cost, with the associated waste and overconsumption.

Angela Terry, environmental scientist and founder of consumer climate action hub One Home, believes Christmas is one of the most wasteful periods in the calendar.

She told Newsweek: "Americans throw away 25 percent more garbage during the Thanksgiving to New Year's holiday period than any other time of year. Last year, they spent an average of $998 on presents and other expenses during the festivities.

"That's an awful lot of stuff. Indeed, the 2.65 billion Christmas cards sold each year in the U.S. could fill a football field 10 stories high. As we're living through a climate emergency, that's not very jolly at all."

A consumer poll conducted in November by consumer insight agency Hall & Partners suggests almost one in five shoppers (18 percent) will be actively reducing excess and spending.

Branka Orosnjak, the company's European managing partner said: "They want to avoid expensive gift buying, seeing it as unnecessary, overindulgent and going against their desire to live more sustainably."

Here are some easy ways your white Christmas can be made a little greener.

1. Recirculate Your Tech

James Seear, cofounder of technology reseller Spring, suggests passing on a much-loved device at Christmas can make a big difference.

"Tech devices are popular gifts for kids and adults at Christmas," he said. "It's important that we break the cycle of always buying new and not recirculating the old.

"Consider saving money and doing your bit for the environment by buying a recirculated tablet or phone as a gift for a loved one this year. Better still, recirculate old devices after Christmas so they go back into the circular economy and not landfill."

2. Avoid Plastic Advent Calendars

In the lead up to Christmas, avoiding a traditional plastic-filled advent calendar is a great place to start going greener.

Scott Hawthorne of waste collectors Skips and Bins said: "Findings show that rubbish increases by 30 percent during the season and harmful materials used to create your morning sweets are at the forefront of the waste."

3. Package Presents With Recyclable Products

Choose recyclable wrapping paper tape for present packaging.

Lauren Churcher, of "planet-friendly packaging" supplier Priory Direct said: "Pure paper wrapping paper can be recycled, but plastic tape stuck to it can damage the recyclability of the wrapping paper itself and contaminate all other paper recycling.

"It's highly unlikely you'll see friends and family painstakingly remove the plastic tape from the wrapping paper on Christmas morning, so it's best to choose a paper tape as well as a pure paper wrapping paper to ensure your gift wrap can be recycled easily and fully."

4. Choose a Sustainable Secret Santa

A sustainable Secret Santa involves requesting that people bring in something from home as a gift as opposed to buying something.

James Lever, managing director of online cord supplier Rope Source, said: "It could be something you don't use anymore but you know your giftee would love. There's also a twisted version where everyone brings in a gift from home and people take turns picking and swapping which one they'd like from the pile."

5. Be Conscious of Food Waste This Christmas

Being properly prepared for feeding the family this festive season can pay financial dividends, according to environmental scientist Angela Terry.

"When it comes to food, don't shop impulsively," she urged.

"Write up lists according to your recipes and try to buy just what you need. Also, make sure to read up on a few recipes for Christmas leftovers ahead of time, so you aren't tempted to just scrape them into the bin."

6. Use A Charitable Search Engine When Looking For Gifts

While Google is the most popular search engine, there are alternatives, such as SearchScene, which provides 95 percent of its profits to charity.

SearchScene makes money from ads and donates 95 percent of its profits to major environmental and humanitarian charities, according to the site.

"Search the web using SearchScene and help plant trees," cofounder Neil Williams said, "offset your CO₂ emissions, provide clean drinking water and warm blankets for children less fortunate, and help save wildlife habitats and endangered species."

7. Be More Thrifty

Managing your resources more carefully can result in a greener, enjoyable Christmas.

Experts at sustainable Norwegian reselling platform Tise make the case thus: "Thrifting gifts lend a touch of sentimentality to the Christmas season, and offers the perfect sustainable solution for eco-conscious people wanting to exchange physical items," a spokesperson said.

"Ask loved ones for lists for inspiration, and, when thrifting, be sure to inspect items thoroughly, consider upcycling one-of-a-kind pieces, and lean into your creativity, for the perfect, personal secondhand gift."

8. Rent Your Christmas Outfit

Sequinned occasion wear is a particularly popular item during the party season, despite the fact sequins are harmful to the planet, particularly when only worn rarely.

Isabella West, founder of fashion rental platform Hirestreet, said: "In the coming weeks alone, women will purchase over 30 million sequinned garments that they will wear for an evening - two million of these items are imminently destined for landfill —where they will remain forever—unable to biodegrade."

9. Rely On Charity Shops This Christmas

Charity shops offer a more ethical—and frugal—solution to festive shopping.

Allison Swaine-Hughes, retail director at the British Heart Foundation, said: "Our high street shops and online stores are packed with countless unique treasures waiting to be discovered, to make your Christmas purchases more heartfelt this year."

10. Shop Locally

Using local butchers and grocers rather than supermarkets, can make a big difference this Christmas.

They generally use less packaging, but can be more expensive.

11. Make Presents By Hand

Fashioning festive gifts yourself can create a great impression, cut the cost of Christmas and shrink the ecological footprint of the holidays.

A spokesperson from buying and selling platform Preloved insists: "Nothing says 'I love you' more than a handmade gift, why not learn a new skill and knit a jumper, paint a picture or make some earrings for a loved one this Christmas. With plenty of tutorials on YouTube, and a huge range of crafts on Preloved, there will be something for everyone."

12. Plant A Christmas Tree

Planting a tree instead of buying a traditional spruce can help save the environment.

Ian Hambleton, cofounder of climate action platform Ecologi, said: "This festive season, instead of buying a real Christmas tree why not plant one instead. Give the gift of long-lasting climate action. Ecologi Gifting allows you to buy your loved ones Christmas Trees (forests of 100, 250, or 500 trees) or make someone Climate Positive for Christmas with a subscription."