It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

Happy Friday Friends.

As the festive season approaches, there’s a buzz of excitement in the air, the twinkly lights, the TikTok under the tree crimbo train set, the joy of giving and not being able to get in or out of Bluewater car park easily.

But amidst the celebrations, excitement, expectation and chaos it’s Important to pause and consider the impact our choices can have on the planet.

At Syntech Biofuel, we’re always exploring ways to reduce our carbon footprint, and this Christmas, I’d like to encourage you to be kind to each other and the planet, and also share some ideas for making small, sustainable changes that can help us all enjoy an environmentally conscious holiday season.

1.  Choose Eco-Friendly Decorations

The sparkle of Christmas often comes with a cost to the environment. Many sparkly decorations and cards are made from stuff that doesn’t re-cycle well and end up in landfills. This year, consider some sustainable alternatives:

• Natural decorations: Pine cones, dried oranges, cinnamon sticks, and sprigs of holly can add a charming, rustic touch, we live in a world of creators now, get creative.
• Switch from plastic to glass baubles. Pack them away carefully after the tree comes down, ready to re-use next year.
• Upcycled ornaments: Get creative by repurposing materials like fabric scraps, glass jars, or even old jewellery to craft unique decorations.
• LED lights: Swap traditional bulbs for energy-efficient LED fairy lights, which use up to 75% less energy.

2.  Think Twice About Wrapping Paper

Everyone loves the excitement of ripping open their presents but it creates so much waste. Many wrapping papers contain plastic or metallic elements that make them unable to recycle. Try these alternatives if you can’t find paper with the ‘recycle me’ mark:

• Reusable fabric wraps: Inspired by the Japanese art of furoshiki, these wraps are elegant and reusable.
• Brown paper: Simple, recyclable, and a bit chic when tied up with twine and a sprig of greenery.
• Repurpose old materials: Maps, newspaper, or last year’s calendar pages make for unique wrapping solutions.

3.  Rethink Your Christmas Tree

The Christmas tree is at the heart of the season, but what’s the most sustainable option?

• Real trees: Locally grown, FSC-certified trees are a better choice than artificial ones. After Christmas, make sure to recycle or compost it through local council programs.
• Potted trees: A living tree can be replanted and used year after year.

4.  Give Thoughtful, Sustainable Presents

Gift-giving is one of the most enjoyable bits of Christmas, but it can be wasteful. Make your gifts meaningful and sustainable:

• Experiences over things: Consider gifting concert tickets, a cooking class, or a spa day.
• Support local artisans: Handmade items from local crafters often have a smaller environmental footprint.
• Eco-conscious products: Look for gifts made from sustainable materials, or choose brands that prioritise environmental responsibility.

5.  Plan a Sustainable Feast

Christmas dinner, just after the King’s speech is one of the best bits of Christmas, but it can generate a lot of waste. Here’s how to keep it greener:

• Buy local and seasonal: Buy your turkey from a local butchers if you can afford to, this supports local and UK farmers and reduces food miles by choosing seasonal produce.
• Minimise food waste: Plan portions carefully, get creative with leftovers, is there any greater joy than a leftover turkey and red pickled cabbage sandwich or the obligatory turkey curry in that bit between the big day and New Year when you’re giving your liver a break and craving a bit of festive comfort food.
• Ditch disposables when the hordes come round for crimbo visits and nibbles. Use real plates, cutlery, and cloth napkins instead of single-use paper and plastic bits that turn up in fish hundreds of miles away .

6.  Travel More Thoughtfully If You Can

Holiday travel can have a significant environmental impact. If you’re visiting loved ones, consider:

• Public transport: Trains and buses are more eco-friendly than cars and planes.
• Carpooling: Share rides with family or friends.
• Stay local: Sometimes, the best Christmas memories are made at home with those closest to you.

7.  Spread the Word

One of the best gifts you can give this Christmas is the inspiration to live sustainably. Share your eco-friendly tips and hacks with friends and family. Lead by example, and you might just inspire others to make their Crimbo’s greener too.

A Greener Future Starts with Us

The joy of Christmas doesn’t have to come at the expense of the planet. By making small changes and embracing sustainability, we can reduce waste, conserve resources, and still create a festive, magical and memorable holiday.

Small steps contribute to big impact, sustainability matters, no matter how small. 19 sleeps till Christmas, still plenty of time to make a difference!

I left the cheesy song link off for a couple of weeks but after quite literally one person noticed (Steve in the Ops office) I have given in to mounting pressure and included the Friday banger once again, here’s the link, enjoy!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0bhsXykXxfg

Thanks for reading, have a beautiful weekend.

Mike

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