Creating a Sustainable Christmas

The festive season is traditionally seen as a time of excess and indulgence. Why not use this time of year to assess your environmental impact and make a few changes to leave a legacy for future generations?

So, what can you do to make a difference for people and the planet? Laura Fanthorpe of PECT (Peterborough Environment City Trust) gives us some tips towards a more sustainable Christmas...

Shop ethically

Put your pound into organisations that have an emphasis on ethical and eco credentials. You can opt for local and independent suppliers, or even buy secondhand from charity shops. Plus remember to take your own reusable shopping bags with you when you do your Christmas shopping!

Use environmentally friendly wrapping paper

Choose wrapping paper made using fibers such as hemp, or paper using recycled content. Avoid glossy foil or metallic wrapping paper as this is difficult to recycle. Foil gift wrap is also harder to reuse, since it wrinkles and creases easily when the gift is being unwrapped.

Waste less

Most of the extra waste we create during the festive period can be reduced and recycled. Buy only what you need and choose to buy items with minimal packaging. Freeze leftovers and give unwanted gifts to colleagues, friends and charity shops.

Change your diet

Did you know that food makes up around a fifth of our carbon footprint? By making small changes to your shopping and eating habits, you could have a big impact on the planet. Pledge online at www.coolfood.net to make positive food choices and help your household reduce its carbon emissions.

Decorate a tree for the birds

Place seed bells, suet, pine cones with peanut butter and seed trays on trees in your garden, preferably a tree in the open where cats can be seen easily by the birds. To attract a wide variety of birds, use varied seed types such as black oil sunflower seed, wild bird mixed seed and nyjer seed bells. This is a great activity for kids and offers an important food source for birds during the winter.

Give your time

Why not donate towards or help plant a tree in your city for a long-lasting and memorable present? PECT has planted more than 115,000 trees across Peterborough, but still needs your help to plant more! Volunteer tree planting days are a great opportunity to meet like-minded people, get outdoors and make a difference to your local surroundings