Sian Berry's 5 tips for greener living

Birthdays, weddings and holiday seasons are full of traditions that don’t have to be wasteful to be fun and special. For your parties and celebrations, try these tips to reduce your impact on the planet:

Catering for larger numbers doesn’t have to mean a sea of "disposable" plastic plates, cups, straws and cutlery. Greener alternatives are out there, made of paper, wood, bamboo or even pressed leaves. Try to steer clear of balloons and plastic decorations. Opt for paper or cloth bunting instead, or make your own from recycled materials.

Please never release balloons into the sky, as they can cause huge damage to wildlife. Floating or flying lanterns are even worse, and can cause wildfires and harm to birds and animals. 

There are many firms making delicious ethical, fair trade chocolate and drinks ideal for celebrations. And a special dinner is the perfect excuse for getting high welfare organic meat and cooking locally sourced vegetables. 

Children’s birthdays deserve special parties and days out, which can be very green. Many nature reserves and outdoor education organisations offer group bookings for children to enjoy messy, fun activities outdoors like woodland games and pond-dipping.

When choosing a present, try to avoid increasing the amount of stuff in the world by giving non-material gifts. Vouchers and tickets for arts and cultural events, donations to projects that support wildlife and memberships for charitable organisations are some of the nicest things I’ve received and were really appreciated. 

If you’re putting together a wedding list, there are great green products at a range of prices to ask for, and many couples now let people donate to charity in their name as an alternative option.

For other wedding essentials, look out for vintage or recycled fabric wedding dresses as a beautiful and timeless alternative. Green jewellers are increasing in number too, so seek one out for your wedding rings. These use only recycled metals, avoiding the huge impact gold mining has on soil and water pollution. And it’s really important to make sure any diamonds are not being mined to support conflicts around the world. The Kimberley Process Certification Scheme helps you avoid this ethical pitfall. 

What better way to save carbon emissions and food miles, and ensure you have fresh food you can trust than to grow your own? Even if all you have is a few window ledges, you can still grow a range of useful crops. For example:

We’ve all been sold the same image of the "ideal holiday"—a palm tree and a stretch of white sand next to a turquoise sea. But is that really what makes for a perfect break? Does going far away guarantee having a relaxing time, and does a few days of tropical weather make up for the hassle of negotiating airports and long flights?

For most people, spending quality time with their families or friends is what they want from a break. Interesting activities, great food and comfortable places to stay don’t have to mean getting on a plane. In fact, most of us can find ideal holiday spots closer to home. For me, the UK has everything I need for most of my breaks, from a fantastic range of coastlines to hills and mountains that are just the right height to hike up for a brilliant view, without needing climbing gear.

In the UK we have history to spare, with more World Heritage Sites than the whole of the USA, from Stonehenge to the castles of North Wales and the Roman city of Bath. We also have amazing food in our seaside towns, and the best local pubs, while more and more companies are offering adventure and activity breaks ideal for families. 

If you’re not from the UK, don’t be envious. Your own close-to-home breaks will offer a similar range of things to explore. The principle of prioritising what you do, not how far you travel, helps you get to know your own backyard and enjoy more holidays that relax, inform and entertain you without breaking the carbon bank.

Your garden can be a real haven to help support sparrows, insects and other wildlife. Here are some ways to support your local wildlife:

Re-use is one of the green "three Rs". Buying things second-hand is a very good way to make the earth’s resources go further, and also get a bargain in the process. 

The internet has taken over from newspaper classified ads as the best place to find and sell used items, and there’s almost nothing you can’t find online. There are also local networks for "freecycling" items, and these are worth a look at if you’re setting up a home or office and want quality items for less.

A bit of work can make even battered items like new again. I have a lot of second-hand 20th Century furniture. With some sanding and oiling or a lick of new paint, tables, chests and dining chairs (with new seat pads and covers added) can be made like new again.
People also dump reclaimable items into skips and on the street. This fly-tipping is not allowed, but I made a lovely side table from the legs of a tubular steel stool that I found in a local hotspot. 

Even if you’re not very hands-on, these spruce ups are not much more trouble than following the assembly instructions on a flat-pack item, and there are good books available to show you how to do it well.