Sustainable Christmas: How to go green

Christmas recycling tips

Useful tips for recycling after Christmas.

Wrapping paper – take the scrunch test

Not all wrapping paper can be recycled. When picking your wrapping paper this year, remember to avoid using plastic-coated or laminated wrapping paper. If you do end up with plastic-coated wrapping paper in good condition, consider reusing it next year.

If you can scrunch up your wrapping paper, it can go in your recycling, but if it bounces back, it goes in with your household rubbish.

Christmas crackers and card

Crackers are also hard to recycle, so why not skip the crackers this year and cut down on costs and non-recyclable waste?

If you do have crackers, opt for plastic-free ones and separate any extra bits, such as ribbons and toys, before placing them in your usual recycling.

Christmas cards made from card and paper can almost always be recycled, but watch out for glitter, sequins, jewels or musical cards, which can’t be recycled.

Did you know you can’t recycle chocolate wrappers or plastic film in your usual recycling? Check out our waste and recycling A-Z for information on how to recycle any waste you’re unsure of.

Cardboard

If you live in a house, flatten and cut down cardboard and place it inside your recycling sack. If you use a communal recycling bin, flatten and cut down cardboard and put it inside the bin.

Christmas trees

If you buy a real Christmas tree that has been grown in a container or potted with its roots intact, you can plant it in your garden after Christmas. Alternatively, transfer it into a bigger pot so the roots have room to grow and use it again next year.

If you want to dispose of your real Christmas tree instead, use our real Christmas tree recycling service for free. Put your real Christmas tree out for collection on your usual collection day from Monday 6 January 2025. If you want to recycle it before then, you can bring it to a drop-off point from Thursday 26 December.

Shop sustainably for presents

A sustainable present idea is a gift voucher to our Library of Things! This is great for people who have limited space or access to tools or other helpful items found at the Library of Things, located in Southside Shopping Centre in Wandsworth Town.  

You can also give the gift of activities, like theatre tickets or days out, to create memories together and reduce the waste of physical items.

Save on fuel emissions by opting for online parcels to get delivered to parcel lockers, instead of direct to your door. Some online companies also offer designated days for delivery, which reduces fuel as the delivery driver only comes once a week.

Eat sustainably

Eating vegetarian or vegan is a great way to think of the planet this Christmas, and there are lots of great alternatives to a classic turkey. Eating seasonably is another environmental approach, by only eating fruits and vegetables grown recently and locally.

You can also be sustainable this Christmas by planning ahead for how much food you need. This helps reduce leftovers and food waste. Freeze any leftovers you do have to reduce waste and eat later – almost everything can be frozen, including gravy.

Be energy saving

Be mindful of your energy usage this festive season, especially if you’re hosting family and friends.

Find out how to heat your home for less.