Before we know it, the holidays and most importantly Christmas will be here. While seasonal celebrations are full of happiness, laughter, and priceless family time, they may also produce a significant amount of environmental pollution. The holidays can be merry, joyful, and sustainable, though, by adopting a few important measures in advance. You’ll be surprised at how many easy changes you can make to safeguard the environment.
1. Rent a Christmas Tree
When you have little storage space, renting a tree is a very practical choice. One more benefit: Since rental businesses take care of transportation, you won’t have to worry about it or fight to tie a big tree to the top of your car. Even synthetic trees, which can be used repeatedly, could be an option.
2. Decorate With LED Lights
December is known for its glistening lights, which adorn our houses and are shown in storefront windows. You can still take part in the fun of decorating your front porch with lights and, of course, adding a few strands to the tree. However, substituting LED lights for a conventional strand of Christmas lights. It turns out that there are several advantages to doing so. In addition to saving you money and energy, LED lights are more effective, robust, and long-lasting than fluorescent or incandescent lights.
3. Back independent bookshops
In spite of a recent comeback, independent bookshops have been severely impacted by the pandemic. On the Booksellers Association website, look for nearby stores and support them as you do your holiday shopping. Many allow phone or internet orders, and the personnel will frequently assist in finding the ideal present.
Also check out our latest story on a microgreens farm in a parking lot!
4. Purchase environmentally conscious toys
Toys don’t have to be made of plastic or come from China to entertain kids. Numerous UK businesses provide options that foster imagination. While the classic wooden toys offered by Babipur are “strong and made to last,” the recycled skipping ropes and organic cotton soft toys offered by Ethical Superstore are among the range. Natural painting supplies like plant-dyed paints and beeswax crayons are fantastic to get on Myriad.
5. Purchase more sustainable clothing
The best environmentally friendly method of dressing is to use what you already own in your wardrobe, but if you must purchase clothing, make sure to buy “better” (as well as you can afford). Could you find a fine vintage dress or a traditional wool sweater as a secondhand gift? Otherwise, try to look for labels that protect the rights of garment workers, use morally sound materials, aren’t tested on animals, and ideally priorities organic, natural fibers.
6. Avoid conflict minerals in tech
The tech industry is infamous for its poor pay, tax evasion, and use of conflict minerals. So it makes sense to check out Ethical Consumer’s ethical rating system before making an electronics purchase. A call to the ethical and repairable phone firm Fairphone, for instance, would be responded to by a growing demand for items that endure and have a less negative impact. Otherwise, choose refurbished repurposed.
7. Enjoy regional cuisine
Treat your loved ones to something delicious from a UK-based cooperative like Suma or Riverford. Alternately, fill a hamper with delectable foods that are ethical. Think of homemade jam, biscuits made without palm oil, or Zaytoun olive oil, which is ethically and organically produced by small-scale farmers in the West Bank. Additionally, this Christmas, why not challenge your family to a vegetarian or vegan day or week?
8. Use a planet-positive search engine
If you’re looking for gifts online, use the charitable Ecosia search engine. Reforestation initiatives are supported by 80% of its advertising revenue in nations like Indonesia and Brazil. Additionally, they don’t keep track of your web searches, sell your data, or track the websites you visit.
If you liked this article, we would love to hear back from you in the comments section. For more stories like this, keep visiting Newsum.
