We all know that familiar sinking feeling, as the recycling and rubbish bags pile up over Christmas. So why not make this year your turning point? Here are a few simple tips that will help.

Having a less wasteful Christmas is mainly about being a bit more thoughtful. Buy fewer gifts but consider them more carefully. If you’re giving physical presents, look for shops and websites with a zero- or reduced-waste policy. There are loads of lovely gifts out there that come in minimal packaging.

Alternatively, why not give a voucher, sponsor something useful or make a dedication in someone’s name? The great thing is you don’t have to do much to make a difference. Imagine if everyone who reads this changed five things this year?

Of course, food is a huge part of Christmas, unfortunately, most of us waste a lot of it. The secret is planning. Buy only what you need and use up your leftovers. And remember, the shops are closed for a couple of days, not three weeks.

Top tips

Top gift wrapping tips

• Don’t buy wrapping paper with glitter or foils, which aren’t recyclable.
• For a more personal touch, try potato-printing your own paper.
• Discover the Japanese art of Furoshiki, which uses squares of cloth to wrap gifts. It isn’t difficult and the results can be beautiful.
• Use plain paper and jazz it up with recyclable accessories, such as ribbons and baubles.
• Do the scrunch test on used wrapping paper. If it stays scrunched, it’s probably okay to recycle; if it springs back into shape, put it in your refuse bin. (It will contaminate the recycling.)
• Buy eco-friendly sticky tape. A range of plastic free sticky tapes are now available and some are even compostable at home!

Christmas tree ideas

Christmas trees are gorgeous but can have a carbon footprint. The best options are:

• Reuse your current one.
• buy a pre-loved fake tree.
• Look after a real tree and reuse it each year.
• Use a Christmas Tree rental service

Top decorating tips

• Avoid buying plastic decorations this Christmas. Bunting, origami or pinecone decorations are much better than tinsel.
• Switch Christmas decorations with family, friends or work colleagues for a fresh look, rather than buying new ones.
• Make a natural Christmas wreath. You can even have one that will feed the birds as well as looking great!
• Make your own natural table decorations – holly leaves look fantastically festive.
• Avoid buying Christmas crackers which often contain plastic toys. Instead make your own using toilet roll tubes!

Gifts

• Look out for gifts that come with as little packaging as possible -or that you can recycle.
• If you are stuck for some gift ideas, why not try a zero waste kit. Try including a metal or bamboo straw, cutlery, a reusable coffee cup, reusable wraps, water bottle and an eco-lunch box.
• Sellotape is made of plastic, but don’t panic! You can wrap gifts with brown paper tape, ribbon or string. Better yet, go for a reusable option like a box, bag, or cloth.