Lavender Hill's Christmas Tips: Wrapping, Gifts and Food Waste

In the lead-up to Christmas, here are some simple ways to cut down on waste, from gift wrap to leftovers.

Tip 1: Choose recyclable wrapping

A lot of wrapping paper is plastic-based or contains materials that cannot be recycled, so look for paper that can. As a general rule, if you scrunch the paper up and it stays scrunched, it can usually be recycled.

Tip 2: Keep it simple

Many tags and wrapping accessories contain glitter, foil and other materials that cannot be recycled. Stick to paper tags and check the label when buying.

Tip 3: Skip the Sellotape

If you have chosen recyclable wrap and tags, remember to remove the Sellotape before recycling. Better still, use paper tape, or fasten gifts with ribbon or reusable gift boxes.

Tip 4: Reuse your ribbon

Buying rolls of ribbon and string each year, only for them to go in the bin on Boxing Day, is wasteful. Keep ribbon and other decorations somewhere safe and use them again next year.

Tip 5: Shop small

Shopping with small businesses often means friends and family get something more unique and personal, and often handmade or one-of-a-kind. If you do not know where to start, try Etsy or your local independent shops.

Tip 6: Shop for food with a plan

Buy vegetables loose so you can choose the amount you need, and get creative with leftovers (there are hundreds of possible post-Christmas sandwiches). Avoid multibuy deals you do not need, or donate the extra item to a food bank.

Tip 7: Check labels on cosmetics

Make-up, skincare and perfume make popular gifts. If an animal-testing policy matters to you, look for recognised scheme logos such as Leaping Bunny, and read each scheme's published criteria so you know what the logo covers.