Do you ever feel guilty about the amount of waste packaging created on Christmas Day or are you just fed up with the extra bags of rubbish waiting for the first collection after the holiday?
This is a reblog of a post from last year with details updated. The packs from Muc-Off and M&S in 2) are still available. This year I’ll be posting photos of Christmas packaging on my Instagram profile – @sarah_greenwood_packaging Why not take a look and let me know what you think?
It’s not always possible to choose low packaging options if your loved one has their heart set on the latest toy or technology, but where you do have a choice here are some tips on how to reduce your packaging waste over Christmas;
1. Use Your Own Bags When Christmas Shopping
Since the introduction of the 5p bag tax in 2015, we’ve got used to taking reusable bags food shopping, but how many of us them for gift shopping too? Every single bag refused by a customer, whether paper or plastic, means fewer raw materials used and less energy used to produce, transport and recycle/ dispose of it.
My Christmas shopping in the rucksack I’ve bought for The Rucksack Project Barnsley, more on that below
2. Choose Gifts in Secondary-Use Packaging
Packs with a secondary use are a good way of making fabulous looking gifts – there aren’t many households without a repurposed traditional biscuit tin, even if it’s just used for keeping more biscuits in (which is a very noble cause if you ask me). More up to date examples include chocolates in a jewellery box from M&S and Muc-Off (the bike-cleaning experts) personal care kits in a tub perfect for keeping bike odds and ends in.
M&S Chocolates in packaging reusable as a jewellery box
Muc-Off body products in a reusable container with closures in their signature hot pink
On the other hand…
3. Beware of Gift Packs!
Retailers and manufacturers are wise to the fact that we like an easy life and package gifts in easy to wrap boxes designed to make them fly off the shelves. These packs often contain large amounts of plastic packaging that can’t always be recycled, but we only really notice at the point of disposal. Consider buying the components separately and putting in a homemade gift box (see 6.) for a personal touch. However, gift boxes can be very competitively priced versus the individual components so some inconvenient plastic could be a small price to pay for a bargain – only you can decide that.
Value for money, reusable and recyclable gift boxes from the Body Shop
4. Shop at Your Local Craft Market
Handmade gifts from craft markets use less packaging as they have not had to be protected with as much secondary transit packaging, usually unseen by us as shoppers, in order to ship it halfway round the world. Not only are you saving on packaging, but buying unique items, supporting your local economy and probably having a much better shopping experience – sipping mulled-wine and listening to local musicians.
I’ll be going to the Etsy Local event in my local town of Barnsley on 2nd Dec organised by Crafty Business Barnsley – check this link for one near you.
Etsy Made Local advert from Crafty Business Barnsley
5. Choose Recyclable Wrapping Papers
No-one can deny that half the fun of receiving a present is the unwrapping, and the fancier the better, but the decorative effects that make the papers so attractive make them difficult to recycle – many local councils don’t accept wrapping paper for recycling (or greetings cards) for this reason. Choose papers that have been decorated with print, not foil and glitter. Curling ribbon and premade bows are difficult to recycle too – it’s difficult to find recyclable alternatives – if anyone comes up with anything please let me know!
Recyclable and non-recyclable wrapping papers. The one on the left is printed, the one on the right decorated with glitter
6. Make Your Own Reusable Boxes
I guess most of us have reused a gift bag at some point but how about covering old boxes with wrapping paper and lined with tissue paper to make reusable gift boxes? The photo shows a covered shoe-box my mum made a few years ago for a pair of vintage Babycham glasses for me. OK it takes a bit of time and planning, but you’ve got something that can be used again next year or if you’re conservative with the wrapping paper design the giftee can use it as a storage container. Follow this link to find out how to wrap a shoe-box from Karen Kaye, a professional gift-wrapper.
Reusable gift box made from a shoe box covered in wrapping paper – it’s seen better days, but you get the idea!
Of course if you really wanted to reduce packaging, you could look at giving gift vouchers, tickets, or a donation to charity on someone’s behalf – no packaging at all, except the envelope for the gift card. This year I’m sitting somewhere in the middle – giving smaller presents and spending the difference in donations to The Rucksack Project Barnsley – you get hold of a rucksack and fill it with warm clothing etc. The rucksacks are then given to people sleeping rough this winter.
Whatever you decide to do, Happy Christmas!
Do you have any more ideas on how to reduce your packaging footprint this Christmas? Please add them to the comments below.
If you need help with the development of your packaging for 2018, please contact me.
Sarah Greenwood,
Sarah Greenwood Packaging
sarah@scgreenwood.co.uk
07826 791 045
