MY CIPP
Step into a sustainable Christmas
Laura Bate ACIPP, business support executive, the CIPP, provides information on how we can all do our part to help to save our planet this festive season
T his time of year can be challenging for all of us. Gifting eco-friendly items and cooking organically may not be a priority. However, there are small but wonderful changes you could make to help our planet.
reduces your carbon emissions by emitting less pollution into the atmosphere. Many small businesses may sell handmade items and sometimes these can be personalised upon request, an extra magical touch for Christmas. “Gifting eco-friendly items and cooking organically may not be a priority. However, there are small but wonderful changes you could make to help our planet” Get creative this Christmas and make eco-friendly cards and decorations. Try to avoid using tinsel as it’s made from plastic. Alternatively, use the same tinsel annually to save it from being disposed of incorrectly, as marine life is already suffering from plastic particles being dumped into our seas. Creating paper chains, snowflakes or origami can bring families together and get them into the festive spirit, and can be recycled or saved for next year. Make sure your wrapping paper is recyclable. This is usually the paper without any shiny patterns or glitter. Try the scrunch test – if it scrunches, it’s recyclable! Consider saving your Christmas cards and reuse them to make gift tags. Attempt to avoid sticky tape, as this is made of plastic which can take years to decompose. There are alternative reusable options
to secure your wrapping paper, such as ribbon or string. You could use eco-friendly brown paper tape instead or reuse a box or bag from an item gifted to you. Remember to reuse your fake Christmas tree annually. If you need a new tree, consider buying a pre-loved one from an online marketplace. If you prefer a real Christmas tree, find a way to repurpose it. How to repurpose your real Christmas tree: l many councils run schemes for your tree to be turned into wood chippings, which are then used in local parks and green spaces l bind your tree’s branches and trunk together to place in your garden. With the sticks and branches bunched together, this makes a great spot for invertebrates to shelter l use your tree’s needles for blueberries, rhododendrons, azaleas, camelias and heathers l use your tree’s trunk to support climbing plants in spring l charity recycling schemes – tree collections in exchange for a donation l garden waste recycling bins – carefully cut down your tree to fit in your garden waste bin. CIPP update We’re continuously researching and finding ways to reduce our carbon emissions by educating employees to improve their practices. This month, we will find out who has made the most improvement from March 2023 for their own, individual carbon emissions. Have a fantastic Christmas and see what adjustments you could make for a more sustainable season. n
Just how could you make a difference this year?
Look for gifts presented in recyclable materials or with less packaging. Many retailers are thinking of greener alternatives and some packaging can be planted. It may also contain seeds to improve our biodiversity. Lots of food is wasted over Christmas, so plan your meals and understand the quantity of each product before you shop. Buying local will make a positive impact on your food miles. At local markets, you can usually avoid plastic-wrapped fruit and vegetables. Another option is arranging a local delivery of plastic-free goods, including wonky-looking vegetables which haven’t made the supermarket shelves. Try to purchase organic produce as fewer chemicals have been used. Making a couple of switches could make a big impact on our wildlife. Stay sustainable and consider quality over quantity or buy items with multiple uses. A trip to your local charity shop may not be on your Christmas list. However, buying second hand will help, not only by giving something back to the community but also by reducing the amount of waste being thrown into landfill. You could purchase a second-hand high-quality product to be upcycled and gifted as ‘new’ again. Buy from local sellers as they’re less likely to produce excessive waste, which is damaging to our environment. Buying local
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| Professional in Payroll, Pensions and Reward |
Issue 96 | December 2023 - January 2024
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