Published on Dec 3 2024
The end of year holidays are approaching, and with them, the desire to please our loved ones. But why not take the opportunity to also spoil the planet? ADEME offers simple and practical ideas to celebrate while reducing our impact on the environment.
300 million: this is the estimate of the number of gifts given each year on average by the French at Christmas. However, every year, almost 1 million unwanted gifts are directly thrown away
Advice from Ademe
1. Offer useful and lasting gifts:
- Rather than opting for useless objects that will quickly end up forgotten, choose gifts that will have a lasting utility : a good book, a plant for the garden, or local and organic food products like garnished baskets or fair trade chocolate. This reduces the ecological footprint while being fun.
- Think about dematerialized gifts : offering an experience rather than an object can be an excellent idea. Cooking classes, discovery weekends in the region, subscriptions to cultural services (museum, theater), or concert tickets are original and responsible options.
- The second hand gift : The second-hand market is experiencing considerable growth, and more and more French people are choosing to offer second-hand objects. These gifts, often unique, are an original way to recycle while saving resources.
- Wrap your gifts in an original way : rather than using disposable gift paper, opt for the Furoshiki method, a Japanese art consisting of wrapping gifts in a piece of fabric. This avoids throwing away tons of paper each year and offers an ecological and creative side to your presentations.
2. Choose local and seasonal products for your festive meals:
In addition to being tasty, they reduce the environmental impact linked to long transport or the cultivation of out-of-season products in heated greenhouses.
3. Opt for lower impact transport:
To join family or friends, think about public transport or even carpooling: to date, 80% of drivers drive alone in their car. If this is not possible, practicing eco-driving remains a way of limiting fuel consumption.
4. Choose a more environmentally friendly tree:
Prefer a certified natural tree (Plante Bleue, AB, etc.) or a potted tree to replant after the holidays. If you opt for an artificial tree, keep it for at least 20 years. And after Christmas, recycle it by dropping it off at the designated collection points.
By adopting these simple actions, you can make your end-of-year celebrations a time of sharing and pleasure while taking care of the planet. Because there is no greater gift than preserving our environment!
Morocco
