How to have an eco-friendly Christmas

Sign up to the Independent Climate email for the latest advice on saving the planet Get our free Climate email Get our free Climate email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. You don’t have to muster up your best Scrooge impression to have a more sustainable Christmas, follow our top tips for a very environmentally friendly festive season in 2021. open image in gallery Rent a Christmas tree We purchase eight million Christmas trees per year in the UK, although real trees have a much lower carbon footprint than artificial trees, they still contribute to a staggering amount of landfill waste. open image in gallery Make sustainable Christmas decorations Don't even think about picking up the tinsel this year, instead, make your own beautiful decomposable decorations. open image in gallery Pre-loved gifts A serious amount of unwanted Christmas gifts are thrown into landfill each year, some £42 million worth. If you don't have loads of paper stored up already, consider buying wrapping paper made of 100 per cent recycled materials this year from companies like Re-wrapped, or independent designers like Sophie Botsford or Claire Fontaine, or use recycled brown paper and jazz it up with a biodegradable paper ribbon.