Some 114,000 tonnes of plastic packaging will be thrown away and not recycled this Christmas, along with four million portions of turkey dinner, eight million Christmas trees and, according to Defra, enough paper to gift-wrap the entire island of Guernsey. If all those statistics have got your tinsel in a twist, fear not – there are plenty of ways to embrace the festive season without compromising your eco-ethics.
Christmas trees are traditionally cut down, used for just a few weeks and then dumped, emitting harmful greenhouse gases as they decompose in landfill. Some local garden centres offer replanting services for rooted trees, and Giles Miller Studio is launching Goodness-Trees on Kickstarter (£65). Made from corrugated cardboard, they are expected to last at least five years and can be fully recycled. For added feelgood factor, the trees are assembled by those without work, providing vital income when it is needed most. Any profits will be donated to the homelessness charity Shelter.