{"id":275,"date":"2021-12-08T14:12:23","date_gmt":"2021-12-08T14:12:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/theview.boltonschool.info\/?p=275"},"modified":"2021-12-13T15:55:10","modified_gmt":"2021-12-13T15:55:10","slug":"zero-waste-christmas-is-it-possible","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/theview.boltonschool.info\/?p=275","title":{"rendered":"Zero waste Christmas; Is it possible?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Christmas. A Christian festival increasingly associated with waste and excess. Young reporter Abigail Leaper explores some of the ways we can become eco-conscious this festive period.<\/p>\n

Christmas trees: real or fake?<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"
Wooden Christmas Tree<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Real trees are better because, if sourced sustainably, they can have a minimal impact on the environment. However it requires an eco-friendly disposal, which isn\u2019t always possible.<\/span><\/p>\n

Of course, a downside of an organic tree is that it can only be used once.<\/span> Although f<\/span>ake trees can be used repeatedly, it should be noted that they use a lot of resources in production, and it takes a while to for them to decompose, especially if they are made out of plastic. <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

There is of course the option of wooden trees which can be reused and are preferable because of the speed at which they decompose.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

If you were feeling particularly ambitious, you could plant your own tree in a pot and bring it in for Christmas each year. The Norfolk Island Pine is a tree that you can just keep indoors all year long and then decorate when the festive season is near.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

But this topic is u<\/span>p to you as the debate\u00a0continues on\u00a0which is the best to do.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Socks? Again! Here\u2019s what to do with unwanted presents<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Charity shop<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

There are plent<\/span>y of different ways to get rid of unwanted presents, before even looking at <\/span>the bin.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Sell, charity, up-cycle, re-gift and if there is a gift receipt and tags. You can even return it to the shop it was bought from for money or another item.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Eco-friendly gifts<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Christmas isn\u2019t just about\u00a0the receiving\u00a0of course,\u00a0it\u2019s\u00a0also about giving to others, and kindness.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Gifts don\u2019t have to be vegan, plastic free and stamped by every environment management possi<\/span>ble. They could be an experience, like a cinema pass or a trip to a theme park. It could\u00a0be\u00a0homemade\u00a0consumables,\u00a0vouchers,\u00a0or home goods, things like candles or cutlery.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

However, if you do want to start your gift receiver on the path to zero waste, a zero waste starter kit wouldn\u2019t hurt. Just don\u2019t get things that they already have as it defeats the point of zero waste.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

DIY: Decorations<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

We have already talked Christmas trees, but what about the wreaths on doors<\/span>? Or th<\/span>e Christmas crackers at the dinner table?<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

There are ways to bring the DIY spirit to your own wreath, which is better for the environment and much more fun. There are lots of websites on how to make your own wreath and <\/span>here<\/span><\/a> is one, but you can look for your own ideas. (You could even call on the expertise of our very own Mrs Sells!)<\/span><\/p>\n

What about crackers? Well, there are a few options. No crackers. Ok, so befo<\/span>re you explode, basic crackers from the supermarket are normally full of plastic, wrapped in plastic and made of plastic.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Of course, this isn\u2019t the only option. You can make your own crackers, again, a quick Google will tell you all you need to know! <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Or, possibly the more expensive option, green crackers. I don\u2019t mean literally. The wrappers decompose, there is still a joke, a hat and a snapper, but it isn\u2019t full of plastic, which makes them loads better for the environment.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Green Christmas Crackers<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

But crackers, in my opinion, are probably one of the worst things to do with the environment. They are made to throw away.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

And tinsel? That just sheds plastic. Tinsel is made from a n<\/span>on-recyclable plastic or film and sheds loads.\u00a0Reuse the tinsel you have at home, before buying an\u00a0<\/span>eco alternative<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0But you can\u00a0<\/span>make your own<\/span><\/a>\u00a0or\u00a0<\/span>buy it online<\/span><\/a>\u00a0. It doesn\u2019t have to be tinsel. It could be paper-chains or a reusable alternative.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

But remember, it goes reduce (reduce the amount of <\/span>plastic and single use products), reuse (reuse the products you have or obtain a reusable swap) and recycling comes last in the list.\u00a0Did you know that in the UK only 45.7% of recycling is recycled?\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Food\u00a0and how NOT to waste it<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

This is probably one of the most important\u00a0topics on\u00a0here. Each year in the UK, about 7 million\u00a0tons\u00a0of food is wasted each year.\u00a0Yes\u00a0just the UK and yes,\u00a0<\/span>7<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span>million\u00a0tons<\/span><\/b>. 2 n turkeys, 5 million Christmas puddings and a whopping 74 mi<\/span>llion mince pies are thrown away in the UK each Christmas.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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How much food is wasted at Christmas…<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

More than half of British people say that they spend more money on food than anything else, due to fear there will not be enough food to go around. One third of Brits admit that there is more waste at Christmas than any other time of year. There are several reasons for this.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>Most shops and supermarkets have discounts and sales when it comes to the festive season a<\/span>nd so many people over-buy and food that doesn\u2019t get eaten is thrown away and wasted.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

Another reason is to do with the fact that when C<\/span>hristmas dinner is se<\/span>rved, it is a set portion and people have too much on their plate instead of choosing the right amount for them.\u00a0So\u00a0people get full and don\u2019t eat all the food on their plate and in turn, it is<\/span>\u00a0wasted.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Food waste<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

 <\/p>\n

Lots of people also throw away leftovers. They can be heated up or turned into someth<\/span>ing new. Or even given to someone like a neighbor or family member who is elderly or just needs food.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

End Note<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

So\u00a0in the end is a zero waste Christmas\u00a0really possible?\u00a0 The answer\u00a0still remains\u00a0unknown. But\u00a0as long as\u00a0you continue to consciously\u00a0make an effort\u00a0to be as green, that\u2019s what counts.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

By Abigail Leaper<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The links used in this article are:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Zero waste Christmas:\u00a0<\/span>https:\/\/www.aconsideredlife.co.uk\/2019\/12\/a-minimalist-zero-waste-christmas.html<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Food and waste:\u00a0<\/span>https:\/\/www.respectfood.com\/article\/how-much-food-goes-to-waste-during-christmas-and-how-can-we-prevent-it\/<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Eco tinsel:\u00a0<\/span>https:\/\/www.countryliving.com\/uk\/homes-interiors\/interiors\/g25546553\/plastic-free-alternatives-to-tinsel\/<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Christmas. A Christian festival increasingly associated with waste and excess. Young reporter Abigail Leaper explores some of the ways we can become eco-conscious this festive period. Christmas trees: real or fake?\u00a0 Real trees are better because, if sourced sustainably, they can have a minimal impact on the environment. However it requires an eco-friendly disposal, which […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":344,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7,8,10],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-275","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-featured","category-homepage","category-issue1","has-post-title","has-post-date","has-post-category","has-post-tag","has-post-comment","has-post-author",""],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/theview.boltonschool.info\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/275","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/theview.boltonschool.info\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/theview.boltonschool.info\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theview.boltonschool.info\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theview.boltonschool.info\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=275"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/theview.boltonschool.info\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/275\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":393,"href":"https:\/\/theview.boltonschool.info\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/275\/revisions\/393"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theview.boltonschool.info\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/344"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/theview.boltonschool.info\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=275"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theview.boltonschool.info\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=275"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theview.boltonschool.info\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=275"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}