The festive season ushers in an atmosphere characterised by warmth, generosity, and celebrations. This is a time when people come together, give gifts, and enjoy special meals with friends and family.

But behind the sparkling lights and exquisitely packaged presents, a less cheerful reality exists: Christmas is also one of the most waste-generating periods of the year.

From plastic-laden gift packaging to excessive food waste, the holidays continue to take an ever-heavier toll on the environment.

The Environment and Resources Authority (ERA) is encouraging everyone to make more sustainable choices this Christmas, reminding us that the joy of the season does not need to come at the expense of our planet.

The objectives are simple: wholeheartedly celebrate while making conscious decisions that reduce waste and protect our environment.

For starters, the tradition of placing decorative gifts under the Christmas tree has been a custom passed down through generations. Though visually appealing, much of the wrapping paper used today is far from environmentally friendly.

Most commercial wrapping papers include foil, glitter, plastic coatings, or lamination that make them look shiny and durable, yet, in turn, make them non-recyclable.

Add to that the ribbons, bows, plastic packaging, and disposable gift boxes, and it becomes clear how fast waste piles up during this season.

But the good news is that small changes in how we wrap, package, and prepare gifts can significantly reduce this burden.

A shift towards sustainable wrapping not only benefits the environment but can also make your gifts stand out beautifully and thoughtfully. Here are a few greener alternatives:

• Reusable fabric wraps, like festive scarves or tea towels, which become part of the gift.
• Recycled wrapping paper, which is made from reclaimed materials and avoids glossy or plastic finishes.
• Plain kraft paper or old newspapers, which one can personalise by hand with drawings, stamps, or natural twine.
• Reusable gift bags or boxes that can be stored and reused year after year.
• Digital Christmas cards to replace traditional paper cards that often end up in the bin.

While gift wrapping is a major contributor to Christmas waste, food waste is equally significant, especially during the festive season.

Large meals, multiple gatherings, and over-purchasing often result in leftover food that goes uneaten and eventually ends up in the bin.

Food waste carries consequences beyond the bin: it represents wasted resources, energy, and labour used to produce, transport, and store the food.

Here are simple but effective tips to reduce food waste this Christmas:

• Plan your meals wisely: Make realistic shopping lists and plan portions to avoid overbuying. Consider how many guests will be served and adjust recipes accordingly.
• Store food appropriately: Use airtight containers, refrigerate leftovers promptly, and freeze items that can be enjoyed later.
• Get creative with leftovers: Use extra turkey to make sandwiches, soups, or pies. Leftover vegetables can be made into hearty stews, fritters, or fillings.
• Share the abundance: If you've cooked too much, send guests home with portions or donate unopened items to organisations that accept food contributions.
• Compost what you can: Fruit peels, vegetable scraps, and other organic waste can be composted rather than thrown away.

Sustainability does not call for grand actions, but for thoughtful, collective habits. Be it mindful gift wrapping or less use of plastic and food waste, every little action counts toward keeping the environment healthy.