December is a month of celebrations and, consequently, of excessive consumption. According to the Santiago Chamber of Commerce, Chileans spent an average of 210,000 pesos in 2018, which is 36% more than the rest of the year. In 2019, however, the figure dropped—reaching 167,000 pesos—yet it still implied an increase in spending compared to previous months. Unfortunately, our wallets aren’t the only ones paying the price; the environment does too. This time of year generates a major impact on our planet.

• Conscious Tree: Artificial trees are made from a type of plastic called polyvinyl chloride (PVC), a petroleum derivative that may contain lead and other toxic substances. Furthermore, according to the U.S. Department of Commerce, about 80% of them are manufactured in China, where most electricity is generated by burning coal, one of the most polluting fossil fuels. The invitation is to be responsible with your consumption. Those who already have one could reuse it every year, and for those thinking of buying a new one, we have good news: there are different ideas to replace the classic artificial Christmas tree, such as building one from materials you already have on hand or even from waste.

• Go Green with Gifts: According to Greenpeace Chile, Chile is the South American country that generates the most waste, reaching 456 kilograms per person. And while Christmas might seem like a difficult time to reverse this situation, there are various options to keep gifts from ending up as trash. Here are a few ideas:

1. Native trees: Is there a more conscious gift than one that contributes to the recovery of our forests? For just $4,000CLP, you can buy a native tree, choose the area where you want it located, and we will plant it in the name of the person the gift is intended for. They will also receive an email with a certificate containing a Google Maps geo-referenced link showing the exact location of their tree. Click here for more information.
2. Food in recyclable jars: The options are endless and can include jams, cookies, or quince paste (membrillo). Another idea is to package the exact dry ingredients for a dessert so the recipient feels inspired to bake it.
3. Experiences: Through a gift card, you can offer an ‘I owe you’ (IOU) or a voucher for an activity.
4. Thrift stores: Reuse items or clothing to extend their lifespan.

• Sustainable Decorations: It is important to be creative and use items you already have at home to make your own Christmas decorations. This way, you’ll avoid over-consuming and using materials that are difficult to recycle. Plus, it’s a great way to keep kids busy and teach them to explore their artistic side. Need inspiration? In this post, you’ll find an idea for making a centerpiece and a candleholder.
• Clever Gift Wrapping: Although neatly wrapped gifts look great under the tree, they pose a threat to our planet. Most mass-produced wrapping paper and gift bags are printed with unsustainable inks and coated with shiny foil, making them unrecyclable. Once again, you have to be creative and look for different wrapping materials already at hand, such as newspaper or fabric from an unused piece of clothing.
• Don’t Waste Food: Every year, 1.3 billion tons of food are wasted worldwide, and in Chile, 3.7 billion kilos. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), these figures account for one third of all food produced for consumption. At Christmas—reports the newspaper El Comercio—these figures can double. How can we avoid this?

1. Plan a menu with everything you want to prepare so you don’t improvise and end up over-buying. Before shopping, check what is already available in your pantry and refrigerator.
2. While cooking, keep a container handy to collect organic waste such as vegetable peels, fruit scraps, and eggshells. If you have a compost bin, you can add them there or give them to someone who does.
3. Look for recipes that use foods we usually throw away, such as vegetable greens, which can also be used to make pestos, dressings, or even garnishes.