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The holidays are undeniably a magical time of year, yet the festivities and celebrations can sometimes mean over shopping and extra waste. With so many of us seeking ways in which we can all live a little greener, we spoke to sustainability strategist, researcher and advocate, Amy Nguyen to hear her best advice for the small steps we can all easily take to make a big difference this year…
“The holiday season is the perfect time to adopt new, eco-friendly habits and support brands and businesses who are going above and beyond,” says Amy. “Living more sustainably has never been more important so let’s all do our bit to make this Christmas a regenerative, circular and positively impactful one!”
1. Be Mindful Of Your Food Waste
"Did you know that if food waste was a country, it would be the third largest emitter of greenhouse gasses after China and the USA? Whilst this is a problem throughout the entire year, a shocking amount goes to waste over the festive period due to so many bulk buying, over cooking and throwing leftovers in the trash. Where possible, try to plan ahead and resist the temptation to stockpile and cook too much. Look at how many people you’re hosting for and check in with guests to see if there’s anything they don’t like.
When it comes to leftovers, save them for the next day, send guests away with them or freeze them for a later date. You can also use sharing apps to donate your leftovers to neighbors or members of your local community! I’m a big advocate of repurposing your leftovers into new recipes such as pies, soups and other tasty meals."
2. Consider Meat-Free Food Options
Recent research from Harvard University shows that a traditional turkey Christmas dinner has more than double the greenhouse gas emissions than a vegan nut roast with plant-based trimmings.
Now, nobody is saying to ditch your turkey or ham, but you could swap one or two of your meat dishes for a less carbon intensive option. Think roasted vegetable wreaths, mushroom wellington or a nut roast. Imagine the impact if every family in the US made a small change like this..."
3. Shop Local...
"When it comes to buying gifts, decorations as well as food and drink, there are several reasons shopping locally can help you have a more sustainable Christmas. Not only will you be supporting your local community but shopping locally means you’re likely to be able to get what you need by walking, biking or getting the subway.
Shopping local, or with small businesses, means you’ll help to give them a boost and encourage your community to stay local. Make a trip to your local butchers, fishmongers and bakeries or if you need to food shop online, look for sustainable businesses in your area."
4. ...And B Corp
"Buying from B Corp brands is the perfect way to know that your gift is giving back as they work to balance profit, people and the planet. NEOM is proudly B Corp (learn more about that here) so do check out their Christmas gifts. B Corp AND will boost your wellbeing - what's not to love?!
Hampers are a perfect way to personalize gifts to your loved one so why not make a hamper full of B Corp treats? This is an easy way to give them sustainable Christmas gifts that both your friends (and the planet) will love!
Need some inspo? This year try filling yours with NEOM Candles (it's Christmas Wish for me), Rubies In The Rubble, or even some Tony’s Chocolonely."
5. Monitor Your Energy Usage
"With much more time spent in our homes over the holidays hosting friends and families, there’s no denying our energy usage increases. Simple things such as using a smart meter to track your energy use can really help you to have a more sustainable Christmas.
Where possible, try to turn down the heating too. Even if the whole family is home most of the time, putting yours on a timer can make a big difference. Now may also be the time to look into renewable or green energy providers.
When it comes to your Christmas tree lights and decorations, switch yours for LEDs instead of incandescent ones as they’ll use 90% less energy (according to People With Energy). For outside lights, try solar-powered ones as these won’t cost you in electricity or CO2.
Other things to consider include not overstocking your fridge (try storing drinks outside in your garage or shed) and ensuring your freezer is defrosted since the more ice in your freezer, the more energy it uses."
NEOM top tip: want to use less electricity? Turn off the lights, snuggle up under a blanket and create some cozy vibes when you light your favourite NEOM Christmas Candle...
6. Sip A Sustainable Tipple
"‘Tis certainly the season to pop a bottle or two, but why not switch to something a little sweeter to the environment? The International Wine and Spirit Competition (IWSC) has given some super useful advice and suggests repurposing waste to turn into alcohol, avoiding single-use plastics where possible, and opting for brands who use renewable energy in their supply chain. You can check the label and website to find these details if you’re unsure. Much like with your food, try keeping it local where possible too.
Some brands I love:
- Discarded Spirits: who reuse waste from coffee, wine and whisky industries to transform into drinks like ‘Discarded Banana Peel Rum’ or ‘Discarded Sweet Cascara Vermouth’.
- Bruichladdich Distillery Company: A B Corp company that makes whiskies and gins in the Island of Islay. They’re focused on better packaging, traceability, and sustainable farming practices to protect biodiversity and are dedicated to supporting the local communities of Islay through employment."
7. Go For An Organic Or Rented Christmas Tree
"Instead of splurging on a plastic artificial tree, why not opt for an organic, real one this year? There are loads of organic Christmas tree farms across the US for you to choose from.
Alternatively, why not look at renting your tree? The sharing economy is a great way for us to reduce unnecessary consumption and waste. According to some sources, up to seven million trees end up in landfill each year."
NEOM top tip: decorate your sustainable Christmas tree in style with our lovely Ceramic Decorations - and don't forget to add a drop of your favorite Christmas Essential Oil Blend for an extra festive touch...
8. Switch To A Staycation
"Sure, winter sunshine has its appeal, but why not keep it closer to home and enjoy the beauty of your local area with a sustainable Christmas staycation? There are plenty of hospitality companies and luxury hotels who are getting in on the B Corp club."
9. Adopt This Year’s Decorative Theme... Plastic-Free & Circular
"Christmas often tends to be an overly plastic affair and given that the OECD claims only 9% of global plastic is recycled, let this be your reminder to be a little more conscious.
To have a more sustainable Christmas, look for decorations that can be recycled and reused, or why not make your own?... I love to use leftover oranges to craft into a beautiful garland, or you could follow step-by-step guides online on how to design your own Origami or twig stars. Alternatively, support independent designers and small businesses on sites like Etsy."
10. Make Your ‘Night Before’ PJs Stripe & Stare
"Can’t quite resist the urge to get yourself some new Christmas PJs that you’ll probably only wear on Christmas Eve? Millions of tonnes of clothes are sent to landfill each year and it’s estimated that only 1% are recycled! With this in mind, why not try looking for a pair of biodegradable pajamas for life?
Smart fabric choices make for superior loungewear and underwear that go beyond just the festive season. Stripe & Stare, who are certified B Corp and renowned for their designs, use Tencel modal fibers that are ultra-soft, compostable and responsibly sourced. Trust me when I say you’ll look forward to bedtime!
Get Into The Holiday Spirit With NEOM...
Looking to treat yourself or a loved one for the holidays? Check out our amazing holiday collection, including Christmas Stocking Stuffers and Christmas Gift Sets. Be extra eco-friendly this Christmas when you use our reusable Drawstring Bags as wrapping for their NEOM treats...
