1. Start with the Christmas tree — real, plastic or … rental? 🎄
Cutting a pine tree each year to have more authentic and ‘natural’ Christmas Holidays seems for us to fall short of environmental sustainability. The fake plastic tree has for a long time seemed a more sustainable option.
An Ellipsos study showed that to compensate for the health and environmental impact associated with the production and disposal of fake trees, “it would be necessary to use the same plastic tree for 20 years to be as sustainable as cutting down a real tree”.
But there is a third option, which has proven to be the most sustainable: rent a real tree. In Portugal, the Pinheiro Bombeiro project leases real pine trees that had to be cut for fire prevention. The collected revenue (5€ from each rented tree) contribute to the purchase of professional material for Portuguese volunteer firefighters (more than 80% of portuguese firefighters are volunteers) and, upon returning the pine tree, it will be converted into biomass, thus being perfectly reintroduced into nature. As per this example, try to check such an alternative in your country!
2. Choose sustainable gifts 🎁
Christmas is a time of pure consumerism, which involves a huge environmental impact. But your choices may be gifts with a low impact. For example, offering services or experiences — such as a stay at a sustainable hotel such as Quinta Alma, buying vegan shoes from Ballūta or a surf lesson — avoids the production of a material good and often exceeds the expectations of those who receive it.
This year we decided to face the challenge of helping others to have more sustainable Christmas and we created impactful GoParity Xmas Gift Card. From as little as 20 €, you can introduce your family and friends to invest in sustainability projects and make the world a better place! Order now at www.goparity.com/xmas and let’s make this Christmas magical for your beloved ones without contributing to huge environmental impact✨
3. The best part of Christmas — the food 🍰
For many of us, (fortunately!) Christmas is synonymous with affluent table and whole days eating. However,…
🔶Being more sustainable also means a more selective choice of foods that are on the table.
🔶Buying local and organic foods is essential to make your ecological footprint light (both ways).
🔶In addition, it is already proven that the production of red meat is one of the most polluting. So choose to replace the consumption of red meat with fish and more vegetables.
🔶Lastly, avoid waste! Break the taboo and distribute the leftovers across the family. This also extends the flavor and spirit of Christmas longer, everyone benefits!
