Tips for a more sustainable holiday season

Photo by Nynne Schrøder on Unsplash

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#1 Choose a gift that lasts and is good for the environment

At Christmas, it can be tempting to panic buy presents, particularly when we simply don't know what to choose. So let’s avoid buying things that will end up being thrown away or unused.  Instead, purchase something with value, purpose, meaning and ultimately better for the planet.  A house plant could be an idea; it will last forever if you care for it properly and the receiver will find joy in the gift for a very long time.

Or how about products that are ethically made but looks fabulous and fun to have?  We've created a selection of gifts for the holiday seasons.  Check it out here:

BORDERLESS CREATIONS GIFT SELECTIONS

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Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash

#2 Send FSC certified Christmas cards or use e-cards

How about cutting your use of traditional Christmas cards and instead look for FSC certified cards.  Or even better, how about sending e-cards instead?   E-cards can help you reduce your trip to the post office as well!

When sending something by post, try reusing packages as much as you can.

How about trying out these compostable mailers?

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#3 Switch to eco-friendly wrapping paper

Sticky tape, ribbons and paper covered in glitter can't be recycled, so try to stay away from those.  Excessive packaging can consume more of the earth's resources than necessary. Try to keep the wrapping to the minimum, or use recyclable wrapping paper, use newspaper, or save the wrapping paper from last year and reuse it to avoid waste. You can minimize the waste generated during this season.

Here's what we do at Borderless Creations：

Borderless Creations x Sustainability

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#4 Look into alternative Christmas trees

Renting a Christmas tree locally is one of the kindest things you can do for the planet, as each tree gets replanted at the end of the festive season.

If you would prefer to buy one, choose one with an FSC Certification to confirm that it has been sourced sustainably.

Turn your existing houseplant into a modern looking Christmas tree – and all you'll need is some fairy lights!

And how about candles instead of lights?  These candles from ÄIÄI ILLUM LAB. use natural wax as the basis of the flame and pure natural essential oils for the scents.

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#5 Plant a tree!

How about gifting a tree to your loves ones this year?  Remember, a tree is for life and you get to see it grow over the years!

As part of our commitment to sustainability, at Borderless Creations, we try our best to minimize our carbon footprint. 

However, as we are an online store, making our carbon footprint zero is not possible.  Which is why we've decided to join Treedom, so that we can offset the annual CO2 emission from Borderless Creations by using Treedom to plant various trees around the world. 

Treedom  is the only online platform in the world where you can have someone plant a tree for you and then follow it online.

Read more about it here:

Treedom : let's green the planet!

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Photo by Shelley Pauls on Unsplash

#6 Shop locally

Actively purchase at local shops and shops within your country! In addition to supporting companies and businesses in your neighborhood, there may be special discoveries that you cannot find anywhere else. And this can also lead to CO2 reduction.  

Don't forget to bring your bags when you go shopping!

Don't have one?  Here's our selection!

Reusable bags

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Photo by Ella Olsson on Unsplash

#7 Go meat-free

The meat and dairy industry is responsible for more emissions than all the world's planes, trains, cars and boats put together. How about a meat-free Christmas by swapping meats for a plant-based menu instead?

If that's not possible, you could make just small changes to your Christmas menu.  Use plant based ingredients, look out for products that have been grown nearby so you can cut down on transport emissions. Try looking for products with MSC labels and ASC labels!

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#8 Let's thank the blessings from earth, and let's leave as little food as possible.

Since many resources are also consumed in food, it can be said that wasting them also leads to environmental destruction. Buy only the ingredients you need, try not to make too much so that you don’t have leftovers.

If you do make too much, do not discard it! Freeze them for use on other days or transform them to create new meals so that it won’t be wasted! When you can, compost the rest!

Having trouble composting?  Take a look at our previous posts!

Compost Challenge!

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#9 Get together and spend a Green Christmas!

How about using December 25th as a day for a Green Christmas and use the days as an opportunity to review about environmental issues?  Here are some of our recommendations.

A Plastic Ocean (2016) | Our Planet (2019) | Slowing down fast fashion (2016) | The True Cost (2015)