A new study has revealed that more than half of Brits are looking to shop more climate conscious this Christmas.
Lockdown has forced more shoppers to search the internet for their favourite finds, but research has suggested that’s not the only imprint left behind.
According to a new study by eBay, 55% of of the UK are looking to shop more consciously this Christmas, with thought for the planet, people and communities a top priority for what goes under the tree.
With COP26 still fresh in people's memory, it’s no surprise that climate change is on everyone's agenda as we all gear up to the Christmastime festivities.
The study also highlighted that searches for "sustainable gifts" increased by an enormous 315% last year and "ethical gifts" saw a 27% jump. Around 5 in 10 of us said the "good of our planet" would be one of the main things they considered when they picked out gifts this year.
However, climate change is not the only reason that people want to shop more sustainably, with 44% of shoppers explaining that covid has made them want to support small businesses more this Christmas.
What else can we do to have a more eco-friendly Christmas?
Artificial trees have a carbon footprint to around 40g of greenhouse gases, are mainly made of plastic and are non-biogradable. So opt for a real tree produced or grown in the UK with an FSC Certification. There's also so many collection service around the country now where they are shredded and used on gardens and parks instead of dumping them in the street and hoping the bin men will take them away...
Electric toys and games are always great presents, but they often require disposable batteries. By switching to rechargeable batteries, not only can they be reused up to 1500 times, they are also a cheaper option.
Christmas tree lights are switched on for an average of ten hours a day, and old incandescent bulbs can use up to 80% more wattage and use up to 90 times more power than LED bulbs. Its much better for the environment to switch to LED lights.
Ditch the glitter! Christmas cards, crackers and wrapping paper are the worst offenders for the sparkly disaster. The good news is loads of retailers are cutting it out, so you can pick a Christmas range without the tiny ecological hazard.
There's also a push by retailers to reduce festive plastic pollution, meaning you can shop around for the best alternatives. This year, Iceland has claimed to be the first major UK supermarket to sell mince pies free from plastic packaging.
A few simple switches can make all the difference!
