Embracing a more sustainable Christmas
15th Nov 2023 Environment
2 min read
According to GWP Group, the UK typically produces and discards an additional 30% of rubbish throughout the festive period compared to the rest of the year, as Brits collectively send over 100 million bags of rubbish to landfills every Christmas.
To put that figure into perspective, we're talking 68,488 miles of Christmas lights, 238,855 miles of wrapping paper and 125,000 tonnes of plastic. (Business Waste).
Thankfully, we're on hand to share three of our top tips to lower your impact this Christmas:
Less is more
Research from Business Waste found that UK citizens spend £700 million on unwanted gifts every year. Additionally, of all the purchases made for Christmas, only 1% will remain in use six months down the line. So, when you're shopping for gifts, try to focus on quality, not quantity, putting longevity at the forefront. Furthermore, try to choose products with minimal packaging and recycled materials wherever possible. Simple switches can make a big difference!
Know your materials
While many of us know single-use plastic can't be recycled, it can be easy to forget about other things like wrapping paper or our clothing. For example, cards and wrapping paper finished with foiling or glitter can't be recycled. So, from Christmas décor and wrapping paper to your Christmas jumper, take the time to look at materials and understand if and how you can dispose of them in the most planet-friendly way.
Here are three hacks to make your wrapping more sustainable:
- Reuse old wrapping paper or purchase recycled paper
- Ditch the sellotape and opt for easily recyclable twine or string
- Find an alternative way to wrap your presents, such as using cloth like the Japanese Furoshiki tradition or reusable tote bags.
Consider cutting out crackers & cards
About 40 million Christmas crackers will end up in the bin by the end of the day, not to mention the novelty gifts inside. Do we really need them?
In addition, 30,000 tons of Christmas cards are thrown away each year. Instead, consider sending a digital card or, better yet, picking up the phone to spread some festive cheer.
Gift one, rescue 1,000
If you're searching for a gift that does as good as it looks, step inside the Ocean Bottle Christmas Gift Shop. There's something for everyone, including the planet.
When you buy an Ocean Bottle, you fund the collection of 1,000 ocean-bound plastic bottles before they enter the ocean.
All Ocean Bottle products are made from double-wall vacuum-insulated stainless steel to keep hot drinks hot and cold drinks cold for hours. And they're spill-proof, sweatproof and 100% dishwasher-safe.
Crafted from 67% recycled, these award-winning bottles are made to last, complete with a 10-year warranty. So, you can rest assured they won't end up in the landfill before next Christmas!
Original Ocean Bottle
Original Ocean Bottle - £35
Big Ocean Bottle
Big Ocean Bottle - £45
Ocean Bottle Brew Flask
Brew Flask - £35
Ocean Bottle Go Bottle
GO Bottle - £38
Bundle package deals from Ocean Bottle
Bundles from £60
Make it personal with Ocean Bottle
Want to make your gift extra special? All Ocean Bottles can be personalised with our premier laser engraving.
Once the finishing touches are complete, your purchase is lovingly presented in a box that explains everything about the Ocean Bottle, including how it helps save the Ocean and how the recipient can continue to make an impact.
Learn more by visiting Ocean Bottle online today
Read more: Sustainable fashion and beauty gift guide
Read more: Your guide to sustainable living
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