Christmas is the time when we buy a lot and spend a lot, but what if you could do good both for yourself and for the planet by following a few simple steps? Read the article about how you can make your Christmas celebration more responsible and #SaveEnvironment & #SaveMoney at the same time!
1. Choose healthier food
a. Less salt, sugar, and fat (e.g., milk 1.5% fat or juice without added sugar);
b. More fibre (e.g.: whole grain bread or pasta);
c. GMO-free products;
d. Only natural fragrances (e.g., vanilla).
2. Prevent food waste by shopping responsibly
a. Buy products for the Christmas table following a prepared list of ingredients you need for the dishes or through e-commerce, this way you’ll have more time to review your shopping basket;
b. Cook dishes in smaller portions and make sure to use leftovers the next day or freeze the food (meat, vegetables, bread);
c. You can spend less and throw away less if you buy some ready-made meals (e.g. shop food for three portions, rather than cook yourself and buy all ingredients);
d. When you go to visit friends and family for Christmas, plan with your relatives who will cook and what, and take food boxes for leftovers.
3. Buy sustainably grown or produced food products
a. Look for products with the EU Organic certificate (fewer chemical fertilizers, pesticides, etc. were used to produce them, which has a positive impact on the environment and biodiversity);
b. Buy only certified coffee, tea, chocolate or bananas, with UTZ, Rainforest Alliance or Fairtrade labels, and contribute to better conditions for raw material growers and the local environment.
4. Try new tastes by plant-based foods
a. Discover alternatives to cow's milk products and red meat, such as - tofu cheese, soy "meatballs", soy cooking cream, and almond milk drink;
b. The production of plant-based products emits more than 10 times less CO2 emissions into the environment.
5. Be creative and sustainable when choosing gifts and the wrapping
a. A service or experience is better than an item that can become redundant and thrown away;
b. Make a gift yourself and surprise those around you with ingenuity and attention, you can also cook your gift - honey roasted nuts, onion jam or salted caramel;
c. Support local communities or businesses by choosing their products and services;
d. For packaging, use available materials at home, and if you buy it, plain brown paper is the best solution, you can also create wrapping paper by Rimi shopping bags!
6. Save energy – it’s beneficial not only for your pocket but also for the environment
a. Use LED lights, which save energy and last longer;
b. Do not keep the lights overnight, you can use special timer plugs, who help to manage lights;
c. Cook smarter—when your food is nearly cooked, turn off the oven and use the built-up heat to finish cooking.
7. Be physically active during the holiday season
a. Try out “forest bathing”;
b. Invite family and friends for a walk around your local park or nature reserve;
c. Get around your town to visit the main Christmas tree.
We wish you merry, joyful, and responsible Christmas celebrations!