Cumbria CVS Green – No9 November 2024
November 13, 2024
Welcome back to Cumbria CVS Green!
In our ninth blog post, Rachel Miller, This Is Us Volunteering Officer at Cumbria CVS, shares some ideas for how to have a sustainable Christmas, covering everything from wrapping paper, cards and trees to food, jumpers and… elves?!
If you have any suggestions about what you’d like to see in our regular updates, let us know! Contact us by emailing info@cumbriacvs.org.uk
You can find our what we’re doing to minimise our environmental impact and find details of organisations supporting positive environmental action in Cumbria on our Climate Commitment page here
Catch up on our other blog posts here
Sustainable Christmas: An Inspirational Guide
Christmas is coming. Apologies if you are not yet ready to hear that. And there is a lot not to like from an environmental point of view. It’s a time of excess consumerism, waste, over consumption, packaging, costs, and the double edged feeling of guilt associated with it all.
So to begin with, do you know your redundant packaging from your wrapping paper? How many Christmas dinners are binned, how many cards are sent, how far you could unroll all the wrapping paper used, how many trees go to landfill? Try this Quick Christmas Quiz to find out some stunningly sensational seasonal facts to get us started. Jaw-droppingly awful, isn’t it?
But I don’t want to dwell on the problems, and instead look at ways to make Christmas better. I want to inspire you to take steps, perhaps small, perhaps few in number, but steps forwards towards a more sustainable (and perhaps even more enjoyable) Christmas. Let’s stop, just a minute, to think about what “Christmas” really means to you? Perhaps you might include family, rest, love, connections, laughter, children, reflection, thankfulness, memories made. And perhaps by making small sustainable changes you will be able to rediscover some of these.
Here are some thoughts and suggestions, and a few ideas from my experience of how I try to reduce the environmental impact of my Christmases.
Wrapping paper
I hardly ever buy wrapping paper, and instead reuse what we are given. Ok, so the quality of my wrapping will never win any awards, but I don’t think any of my family or friends have ever really minded. If I have some really good wrapping paper which can be used for a 3rd or subsequent Christmas, then I am more likely to use that on a present to someone who I know will themselves keep and reuse it.
I like to tie my presents up with colourful raffia, which makes it easier to reuse the paper as there’s no tape to tear it. I have in fact completely ditched plastic tape. If you haven’t yet tried paper tape, then that’s a complete game changer. It can be easily torn (no more chipped teeth trying to break it), it sticks where it’s supposed to instead of sealing itself up in knots around your fingers, it doesn’t tangle so easily, it holds parcels together securely, and you can write or colour over it – useful for addresses on parcels going in the post.
Other suggestions people have used to wrap presents include wrapping with a scarf or tea towel (making this part of the gift), reusing old gift bags (again and again and again), or making a feature of using newspaper or magazine pages which can prove quite classy. You could even decorate the newspaper using potato prints. In terms of recycling, if you scrunch wrapping paper into a ball and it starts to unfurl itself, it probably contains plastic so can’t be recycled.
Christmas cards
I reuse most Christmas cards we are given by cutting them up to make gift tags for next year. If you are looking to reduce the impact of cards you send, use e-cards, reused or home made cards, or buy cards from charities which use recycled card without glitter, foil or other non-recyclable decorations.
Christmas trees
When choosing a Christmas tree, you might be surprised to know that real trees are better for the environment than fake trees. Our own plastic tree has perhaps balanced out its carbon and resource costs, having been bought from Woolworths (which for those of you belonging to a younger generation and don’t know, was a well known high street chain which closed down 15 years ago), but there are other ways too to source a tree.
Buy an FSC certified tree and recycle it afterwards, or buy one with roots and replant it. Christmas trees can also be rented, e.g. from Lake District Eco Christmas Trees. After Christmas they will take it back to replant, and you can even have the same tree back next year! Or if you are buying plastic, make it a quality one which will last for many years.
Gifts
In terms of gifts, I am known to be quirky, and give unusual gifts which step off the consumerist conveyor belt. In the past, I have given Toilet Twinning certificates, paper tape, coconut shell pan scrubbers, handwritten recipes along with all the ingredients, copies of Greta Thunberg’s book, or vouchers for an outing.
It’s nice to give a promise of a shared experience: taking someone out for afternoon tea on a dull January day gives you quality time together, and extends the joy of Christmas for when things are quieter. You can gift experiences, memberships, a meal out, charity donations, products which will help the recipient live a more sustainable life in 2025, products from ethical companies, plants you have grown, locally sourced gifts from small businesses, second hand books, a poem you have written specially, adopt an endangered animal, promise to bake a cake, or make your own gifts which have added meaning.
Or try gifting these Christmas grotto craft kits, made locally by adults with learning difficulties using only waste materials.
Decorations
My children are often the ones who remember to turn out the Christmas lights when we aren’t there, and I’m proud that they are growing up conscientious. Alternatively, you can decorate with LED lights on a timer, paper decorations, make glitter with sugar and food colouring (I haven’t tried this yet but will do this year), or buy wooden or glass baubles. We save the foil tops from glass milk bottles, and they can be threaded together to make tinsel which is actually quite effective.
Food
Plan your food to avoid waste, use local veg boxes and local grass fed meat (the topic of meat has been covered in previous blogs, so maybe this is the year to do things differently and go veggie), freeze leftovers, avoid palm oil in suet, make your own mince pies, and ask guests to bring their own cutlery to avoid disposables.
Look for food sharing apps like Olio or Too Good To Go. And don’t be tempted to buy too much – we don’t actually need to eat a larger quantity than any other time of the year.
Jumpers
Normalise re-wearing of Christmas jumpers and outfits. I have started a Christmas jumper sale at my children’s school: the box goes out in January to collect jumpers which are outgrown or no longer wanted, and the following year they come out and are sold for a small donation. Great for the environment, people’s pockets, fundraising, and it also builds community.
Crackers
Make your own crackers. You can individually select jokes and presents which are perfect for the person you are giving it to.
The joy of… Elf
And finally, one thing that I have found in recent years (and I know that this won’t be an answer to everyone) is the joy of the Elf. To me, the daily antics of our elves Chestnut and Cranberry turn Christmas into a season of experiences and fun. By the time we get to Christmas Day, there is less desire for acquiring more stuff, as the family feels satisfied already that Christmas has been an enjoyable success.
There are memories made, and things to tell friends about. You may prioritise other experiences and events: carol singing, social get togethers, seasonal plays, traditional family party games, a winter walk or a night walk.
Many of the ideas in this blog came from a talk given a couple of years ago by inspirational young Cumbrian Amy Bray, founder of the charity Another Way. You can learn more about Another Way here The charity uses the power of 10: if one person was to spread a message to 10 people in one day, and the next day those 10 people each went and told 10 more and so on, it would only take 10 days for the whole world to have been inspired.
So, if you are seen by 10 people to be making a change in how you celebrate Christmas, and talk about why you are doing it, you too can be part of the solution.
Seasons Greetings to you all!
Training and Events
Carbon Literacy Action Day
Thurs 14 Nov, Penrith. Held on the annual international Carbon Literacy Action Day, join CAfS’s award winning course and delve into the causes of climate change and what we can do about it.
Accelerating the Green Transition – a public sector Net Zero event
21 November, Online. The transition to net zero represents a significant opportunity for the UK, with a projected £1 trillion market for British businesses by 2030. Join this online conference to explore the critical role the public sector plays in leading the change towards a sustainable future.
With expert panellist discussing ongoing projects in electric vehicles and the transport sector, explore the future of NetZero through alternative fuels, and highlight exciting innovations in AI and green technology. Discover how the UK can collaborate across all sectors to achieve NetZero.
Support for Simpler Recycling regulations from the Cumbria Chamber
Based on the national Guardian’s of Grub scheme this free, 3 hour workshop is packed full of useful resources and advice on how to reduce wasted food, options for redistributing food that could be eaten and the possibilities for on-site composting. Helping you to reduce wasted food, improve your bottom line and save the planet.
Book now: 22 November 2024, Carlisle Cathedral, Carlisle, CA3 8TZ
Book now: 29 November 2024, Allerdale House, Workington, CA14 3YJ
News and Information
New Sustainability Podcast: Insights for a Greener Future
Sustainability Unravelled is a podcast that brings together industry experts to delve into pressing environmental issues, discuss practical solutions and offer valuable insights across various sectors, including Public Relations and Communications Services.
Recent episodes cover topics such as:
- Sustainable Energy
- New Mobility
- Carbon Management
- The Financial Benefits of Sustainability
The conversations are insightful and geared towards making sustainability actionable. You can find “Sustainability Unravelled” on all major platforms.
Environment and Climate for Cumberland Council
View Cumberland Council’s autumn Environment and Climate Newsletter here, including:
- Wildflower planting at Irthing Park
- Community Panels Invest over £100,000 in Climate and nature
- A new Rebuild Site CIC has opened!
+ more
Simpler Recycling regulations
Have you heard of the new Simpler Recycling regulations coming in for March 2025?
These new measures have been introduced to simplify waste management and recycling across the board for all households, businesses and public places. Known as ‘Simpler Recycling’, the legislation aims to eliminate wasteful practices harming the environment – and can keep your business on the right track for sustainable and green goals.
Businesses with 10 employees and more must separate dry recyclables into dedicated containers and ensure food waste is collected separately, regardless of the amount produced, starting from March 2025. Businesses with fewer than 10 employees have time until March 2027 to comply.
UK small business green growth ‘at risk’
Eighty per cent of business owners want to reduce emissions, but two-thirds need more support to do so – with finance a major barrier.
The UK’s 5.5m small businesses overwhelmingly need more help to reduce their environmental impact. Research has found a lack of leadership and financial constraints are holding back this major part of the economy – estimated to represent half of the UK’s business emissions – from pursuing green growth.
Community Climate Grants
CAfS have got £50k grant funding for community groups to develop renewable energy schemes or tackle other climate issues. If you missed the recent webinar, you can watch it at your leisure! Applications close 24 November.
Get the full details and apply
Job Vacancy: Climate & Carbon Literacy Project Administrator
CAfS are looking for a brilliant multi-tasking, admin whizz as maternity cover for their Climate and Carbon Literacy Project Administrator. Be quick – closes 26 November!
Read the full details and apply
Volunteer Opportunity: Chair – Zero Carbon Cumbria Strategic Oversight Board
We’re looking for an exceptional chair person to lead the Strategic Oversight Board of the Zero Carbon Cumbria Partnership. With a strong sense of purpose and great experience in a high-level role, you’ll help lead the combined action that’s necessary to reduce Cumbria’s greenhouse gas emissions.
Could it be you? Find out more
