sustainable Christmas

Beth Noy of zero-waste shop Plastic Freedom (plasticfreedom. co.uk) has plenty of ideas on how to make your Christmas kitchen more sustainable, from repurposing items to replacing single-use plastics. You could also use some of these tips to make your own DIY gifts and stocking fillers.

1 Invest in reusable storage

‘Stainless steel boxes, glass jars and silicone bags are brilliant ways to store food. The bags in particular are good for packing food flat and stacking in the freezer. Food stored properly will stay fresher for longer, too.’

2 Get to grips with wax wraps

‘These can be used for so many things, from packing lunches and storing half-cut veg to making piping bags. Use them as gift wrap if you’re making edible gifts this year – you’ll essentially be giving two gifts in one package.’

3 Make your own basics

‘Cut down on the amount of packaging you bring home by making basics such as bread, pizza dough, hummus, sauces and jams yourself.’ Find out how at bbcgoodfood. com/basic.

4 Choose wisely

‘Items that we use every day can be swapped for sustainable options. Opt for recycled aluminium foil and Fsccertified baking parchment, roasting bags and paper cases – they reuse waste from other products in a more sustainable way.’

5 Start composting

‘All produce scraps can be used on your garden if you compost them, as they break down into the soil. Plus, it’s easy and saves a lot of waste from going in the bin.’ Find our guide to composting by searching ‘compost’ on bbcgoodfood. com.

6 Switch your cuppa

‘Tea and coffee are often sold in plastic – even teabags can contain it. Buy yours loose and brew in a teapot or reusable teabag. Loose tea is great for gifting in a pretty box, too.’

7 Ditch disposable kitchen paper

‘Reusable “unpaper” towels can be cleaned in the washing machine when you’re done, saving money and cutting down on waste.’

8 Scrub up better

‘Washing-up sponges often contain and are packaged in plastic, but reusable sponges can be put in the wash when they’re dirty, and natural dish brushes made from wood and coconut fibres can go in your compost bin to break down into earth.’