'Tis the Season for Sustainability
We’re on the home stretch to the holiday season, and what typically goes hand in hand with holidays is indulgence - especially after such a challenging year!
While there’s no doubt we’ve earned our 'time out' and that extra piece of pudding, there are little things we can do at this time of year for the sake of the environment.
Tony Hawthorne (General Manager, Sustainability & Environment, Orora) and Ray Huelskamp (Sr VP, Operations, Orora) share 9 ideas to bring sustainability to your holidays at home. It’s good to follow the simple concepts of ‘Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Redesign’. There’s no need to compromise on the celebration, but small changes can make a big difference when it comes to our planet.
1. Buy eco-friendly gifts
We often don’t think about what we’re putting into our basket when shopping for toys, gadgets and gifts for loved ones. Keep an eye out for third party certification on products that help provide assurance that your gift is environmentally friendly. There are many eco labels out there – amongst the known and respected eco logos are the Green Tick Certified Scheme, Fairtrade, Rainforest Alliance, Scientific Certification Systems, Forest Stewardship Council, Energy Star and Palm Oil Free. A home-made gift is also always a great, more personal option!
2. Wraps gifts with recycled paper or fabric
The sparkle may catch our eye, but many types of wrapping paper contain non-recyclable elements such as foil, glitter or single-use plastic. Choose wrapping made from recycled paper or fabric - or better still, wrap your presents from paper that’s been already been used and kept (an idea for next year!).
3. Re-think your wreath
Wreaths are a beautiful Christmas decoration, but some are more eco-friendly than others. Go for a real, fresh wreath made using seasonal, natural foliage and adornments. Or if you’re feeling creative, make your own wreath out of fabric that will last year after year.
4. Switch to LED or solar powered Christmas lights
When it comes to Christmas decorations, LED lights are far less energy-intensive than traditional incandescent lights. For outdoors – solar power lights are a terrific option. You’ll not only help the environment, but you’ll reduce your energy bills too!
5. Set the thermostat and save energy
For cool or hot weather, think about the setting on your thermostat and how long you really need to keep it running. Where possible, use a programmable thermostat that will automatically switch on and off, avoiding wasted energy by leaving it on overnight!
6. Buy local produce – and carry reusable shopping bags
It’s always great to support local producers, and it’s no different at Christmas time. Purchasing local produce usually means great quality, and you’ll also use fewer food miles. Don’t forget your reusable shopping bags.
7. Share the travel
If you’re travelling for a festive lunch or dinner, arrange a carpool to share the travel with friends and family – this will mean less vehicles on the road and will reduce your fuel consumption.
8. Stay mindful about food waste
Christmas often means an excess of food and plenty of leftovers. Food wastage is a major issue with millions of tonnes of edible food thrown away each year. The obvious option is to buy less. Food rescue apps and services that help connect you with people in need in your local area are also worth a look. Be sure to use a composter and green waste bin for scraps, and separate your food from general waste, as food put in the rubbish bin can end up in landfill, which makes a far larger contribution to global warming than composting.
9. Recycle, recycle, recycle
Make good use of your recycle bins for all materials over the festive season, cleaning and separating materials appropriately. This includes food packaging and gift packaging. And while not all plastics are bad, avoid single-use plastic items.
2021 will go down as a year for Orora to be proud of when it comes to our sustainability journey. We announced our New Chapter in Sustainability focused on Our Promise to the Future and also committed to some clear goals as part of Our Promise to the Future. Of course, there is more to do, and we look forward to continuing our journey in 2022.
Wishing you all a very merry and sustainable holiday season!
Orora Visual considers how our business decisions impact the planet every day: from sustainable practices executed at all of our print production facilities to recommending eco-friendly options for your marketing materials, signage, displays and packaging. Learn more about Orora Visual’s Promise to the Future.
