How to Look After the Planet this Christmas

Brush up on our eco-friendly Christmas tips and find out how to look after the planet this festive season!

 Real Vs. Artificial   

Real 

If Christmas Trees are recycled properly they can be turned into chippings, which are then used in parks or woodland areas. You can ask a parent/guardian to check online for your nearest Christmas Tree recycling location.

Artificial 

Artificial trees are made from a combination of materials, which makes them difficult to be recycled. However, if you re-use your tree every year they can be a great option. 

Everyone makes lots of food at Christmas, but what if there is too much? A lot of food can be thrown away at Christmas, which ends up in landfill sites where it rots and releases methane, a harmful greenhouse gas.

Top Tip: Use your leftover food to make Christmas sandwiches or good old bubble and squeak!

The amount of wrapping paper thrown away in the UK at Christmas would stretch to the moon! A lot of wrapping paper cannot be recycled. Why? Because it is made from more than just paper, some of it is made from plastic.

Top Tip: Wrapping paper can only be recycled if it passes the Scrunch Test… if the wrapping paper scrunches up into a ball and stays like that, it can be recycled! Brown paper is recyclable, and you can jazz it up yourself!

Christmas is the perfect time for glitter! But glitter is made out of plastic and scientists are becoming increasingly concerned about the levels of plastic in the ocean. You can find out more about plastic here.

Why not try thinking of creative ways of decorating your cards and wrapping paper? You can draw stars and snowflakes for a festive touch. 

Billions of Christmas Cards are sent in UK each year, and loads of them end up in the bin! Luckily, lots of Christmas Cards are made from card and paper, which means they can be recycled.

Top Tip: You can save some Christmas cards from this year, and use them next year to make gift tags. While you’re here, have you signed our BP Christmas Card?! Sign it here! 

Why not try making the Blue Peter Christmas card to give to your friends and family? Find out more here.

This year, think about giving gifts that are kind to the environment! 

You could always give homemade gifts from recycled materials, that will feel really special because you’ve spent time making them – and luckily BP has some great ideas!

When you’ve finished with your old toys or books, you can always give them to your friends or donate them to charity if they can be re-used, rather than throwing them away.