DREAMING OF A GREEN CHRISTMAS

Christmas is an indulgent time of year. The average household in Ireland today generates 30 per cent more waste over the festive period, and last year alone saw households generate more than 81,000 tonnes of packaging waste. That’s a 7 per cent increase on the figure for 2019. But here’s the thing: Christmas doesn’t have to be a burden on the planet. Whether you’re sustainably savvy or not, there are plenty of small, simple changes you can make to the way you spend the holidays that can be game-changing - for both your family and the planet.

The Brown Thomas sustainability team - made up of Head of Sustainability, Diana Geraghty, Responsible Sourcing Co-ordinator, Clare French and Sustainability Co-ordinator, Khloe Dillon Coote - are the driving force behind our core values as a business. Together, they have compiled easy-to-follow tips to help you create a greener, more sustainable Christmas…

TO WRAP OR NOT TO WRAP

When gift wrapping (and unwrapping) this Christmas, try to embrace the ‘Hierarchy of Waste’: Refuse, Reduce, Reuse and Recycle - in that order.

REFUSE: Prevent packaging waste by shopping for products with minimal or no packaging. If an item is already in a beautiful gift box – do the planet a favour and forego additional paper.

REDUCE: If an item must be wrapped – think outside the box, can you wrap it in something the recipient can re-use?

REUSE: Prevent packaging waste by shopping for products with minimal or no packaging. If an item is already in a beautiful gift box – do the planet a favour and forego additional paper.

RECYCLE: When opening, savour the moment (and the paper!), you will be amazed what a beautiful collection of paper you can have by the end of the gifting season – perfect for next year!

A MORE SUSTAINABLE APPROACH

‘Buy less, buy better’ is a motto we like to live by. When you’re shopping, think of pieces and items friends and family can love for a long time. Instead of lots of stocking fillers, how about one great item? Can you do a Secret Santa with your friends or family to buy less but better?

Choose to shop local and support local businesses for your Secret Santa. When you do choose that perfect gift, choose products or brands that have verified sustainability credentials. Check out a brand online for sustainability information before making a purchase. When it comes to fashion, check the care label to learn more about the materials used to create the product, or with beauty, shop cruelty-free this Christmas; look for the leaping bunny or PETA cruelty-free logos.

You can also be guided by our Sustainable Edit range of products available in store and online (and highlighted with our Positive Change globe in our online stores). All products on the Edit meet strict sustainability criteria, guaranteeing that these products are exactly what they say they are, making the sustainable choice the easy choice this Christmas.

GREEN DREAMING

Our beds tend to be dressed in one of the more environmentally impactful materials: cotton, which requires a huge amount of pesticides and chemicals to grow, as well as water. If you’re upgrading your linens this Christmas, look to the Sustainable Edit for organic cotton, or Better Cotton Initiative sheets to support more sustainable cotton farming. Keep an eye out also for items with our ‘low impact production’ tag, such as those which are certified ‘Oeko Tex Made in Green’. This ensures the products were made in safe and fair conditions, through more environmentally-friendly production processes and are completely free from harmful chemicals.

GIFT AN EXPERIENCE

The gift of an experience not only allows us to enjoy time together but also allows us to try something new, learn a new skill and it’s truly sustainable! It’s like the gift that keeps on giving! From cookery classes at the Ballymaloe Cookery School to a round of golf at Carton House, there really is something for everyone!

PLAN AHEAD

We have all been guilty of getting over-excited and overfilling our kitchens at Christmas, resulting in enormous amounts of food waste. Plan your meals in advance and try to cut down on overbuying. Ditch the cling film and tin foil and invest instead in reusable Tupperware or reusable food wraps to preserve those treasured leftovers. Buy Irish grown produce and shop locally where possible, and see if you can reduce meat intake wherever possible to lighten your environmental footprint. A recent study revealed that meat accounts for nearly 60 per cent of all greenhouse gasses from food production, with beef being the biggest contributor. Can you reduce your red meat intake this Christmas, and be innovative with chicken and turkey recipes this Christmas?

SCENT + SUSTAINABILITY

No matter the occasion, we all love to give and receive beautiful candles as gifts. But have you ever stopped to think about what happens to all of the glass holders when they burn out? Max Benjamin refills are a simple and effective sustainable solution to make the most out of resources and help to reduce waste. What’s more, they are made in Ireland so you are supporting an Irish business and lowering the transport footprint of the product. Consider giving the gift of a new sustainable habit for your loved ones too!

SUSTAINABLE GIFTING MADE EASY:

With the expert advice from our sustainability team, you should now be on your merry way to a greener, more sustainable Christmas. All that’s left now is to finish off your shopping list. To make the task of gifting as eco-friendly as the advice above, Diana, Clare and Khloe have compiled their ultimate Christmas wish list. Each product meets the strict sustainability criteria set by the team and there’s sure to be something for everyone left on your list...

DIANA: "I’d love to see this Anya Hindmarch I Am A Plastic Bag large tote bag under the Christmas tree. Part of Hindmarch's I Am A Plastic Bag collection, this generously sized tote is made from plastic bottles that were destined for landfill. Crafted to a durable cotton-canvas feel, it has a weather-resistant coating thanks to the clever use of recycled windscreens. It’s as sustainable as it is stylish!"

"Tony’s Chocoloney is a favourite brand of mine. Made using Tony’s five principles to tackle poverty, unfairness and exploitation in the supply chain as well as being absolutely delicious, Tony’s makes a great stocking filler this Christmas!

For the little ones, I love the Keeleco range of soft toys. They are adorable and have a wide range of lions, panda bears and sloths. There are also plenty of zoo animals to choose from. Part of our Sustainable Edit and made from 100 per cent recycled polyester, these cuddly toys make the perfect “my first teddy”."

SHOP DIANA’S TOP PICKS:

CLARE: "I adore this ACNE Studios scarf: a perfect, quality staple for many winters to come. I particularly love this brand because of its work as part of the Fair Wear Foundation. Through Fair Wear, brands are accountable and transparent about their supply chains, and the efforts they are making to improve working conditions, wages and freedom of association."

SHOP CLARE’S TOP PICKS:

KHLOE: "This year I would love to add some more sustainable jewellery to my collection. The Otiumberg mini oval and tiny moon charm gold hoop is stunning and made from 100 per cent certified recycled 9kt gold. For beauty lovers, ditch the wipes this Christmas party season and switch to Face Halo reusable face wipes."

SHOP KHLOE’S TOP PICKS:

MORE TO READ

From one team of experts to another, in Dress To Impress we hear from the Brown Thomas Personal Shopping team on their dream outfits this Christmas.