Sustainable Christmas Decorations

Traditional tinsel and baubles made of plastic or glass to decorate Christmas trees aren’t eco-friendly, as most can’t be recycled. They’re sustainable if you store and reuse them every year. But if they break or are thrown out, most end up in landfill and contribute to greenhouse gas emissions.

LED fairy lights are more sustainable as they last for many years and can be recycled alongside WEEE waste. If you’re looking to buy some new zero waste Christmas tree decorations, then it’s best to avoid traditional plastic tinsel and baubles. Ideas for sustainable Christmas tree decorations include:

• Recycled baubles – you can find many baubles made from 100% recycled glass that look just as good – if not better – than standard baubles These add a shimmer to any tree and last for years, as long as you secure them safely to your tree’s branches so they don’t fall off and break.
• Edible Christmas tree decorations – chocolate Santas, reindeers, elves, and other treats wrapped in foil are great zero waste Christmas tree decorations. The chocolate gets eaten and the foil is recyclable when cleaned – only the string might need binning.
• Eco-friendly tinsel – traditional tinsel is made from a PVC film with a metallic coating that’s almost impossible to separate and recycle. Some companies have created eco-friendly tinsel alternatives made from recycled paper and fabric that are plastic free, reducing their environmental impact.

Did you know 28% of households string up fairy lights outside along rooftops and windowpanes for Christmas? Plenty of businesses also decorate their exteriors with a tree and other garden Christmas decorations. With a bit of preparation, you can create effective DIY Christmas garden decorations or find some sustainable choices such as:

• Holly trees – head to a garden centre and pick up a pair of holly trees for a seasonal, colourful, and long-lasting Christmas decoration. Those with limited space can keep them in their pots until they grow too big and need planting.
• Christmas solar lights – LED light strings are great, but the most energy-efficient choice is solar-powered festive lights. From strings for your windowpanes and rooftops, to individual lamps that illuminate your garden path, find a Christmas solar light right for you in most garden centres.
• Pinecone garland – string together pinecones fallen from nearby trees for a natural and seasonal garland. Add a bit of holly, dried fruit, or fake snow for a wonderful wintery effect.

Beyond the table, Christmas tree, and garden, you might want to decorate other spaces with sustainable ornaments and décor. Shops and supermarkets sell lots of plastic figures, garlands, and other tat that’s not recyclable. Save on materials and costs with some eco-friendly Christmas decorations to make at home or work.

Homemade eco-friendly Christmas decorations also allow you to add a unique touch and your own charm to them. Consider these zero waste Christmas decorations and ornaments for a seasonal addition to walls, mantelpieces, window frames and elsewhere in your home or business:

• Salt dough stars – combine some flour, salt, and water into a dough, then roll it out and use a Christmas tree, snowmen, or reindeer shaped cutter. Pop it in the oven for around two hours at 250°C, leave to cool, then paint or add some ribbon and hang on your tree or anywhere else.
• Edible ornaments – a great way to get into the Christmas spirit is to make a gingerbread house. Plenty of shops sell kits or you can bake your own by following a gingerbread house recipe. It makes a fantastic festive showpiece and should ensure there’s no waste as you get to eat it all afterwards.
• Natural garlands – a Scandinavian staple at Christmas are dried fruit garlands. Dry out some orange slices and string together with cinnamon sticks and any other dried fruits you fancy. Hang these up to introduce a burst of colour and festive aromas around the office or home.

Where possible you should keep any Christmas decorations for next year, donate to a charity shop, friends, and family, or sell online. Throwing them away with general waste means they’ll likely end up in landfill and contribute to greenhouse gases – a cause of global warming.

However, Christmas decorations can break, wear out, or you may not have storage space for them. These are the best ways to dispose of and recycle old Christmas decorations:

• Baubles – plastic and glass baubles aren’t recyclable, as they’re often made from various materials that make them too tricky or expensive to separate and recycle. If you have a broken bauble, wrap it up and throw away with your general waste.
• Tinsel – traditional tinsel is made from PVC film and a metallic coating and is not recyclable. Throw it away with your household waste. If you have eco-friendly tinsel, check the material, as you may be able to recycle it with paper recycling or textile recycling.