Simple steps to reducing seasonal waste

Marjorie Brennan offers tips on how we can minimise our environmental impacts this Christmas

Presents can still look pretty if you opt for an alternative to shiny and glittery wrapping paper that can’t be recycled.

Tree

Fake or real is the perennial Christmas question. There’s nothing like the scent and feel of a real tree, despite all those pesky pine needles. On balance, it’s also better for the environment, as the production and shipping of artificial trees leaves a significant carbon footprint. However, if you do go for artificial, make it a good-quality tree, as the more you use it, the more the carbon impact is reduced. According to one study, if a household reuses a plastic tree for up to five years, its carbon footprint will be smaller than a household that buys a real tree every year — bear in mind that this research was carried out on behalf of the American Christmas Tree Association, representing artificial tree manufacturers.