5 WAYS TO DO CHRISTMAS SUSTAINABLY

Ever bought a last-minute, cheap piece of gear, only to find it falls apart after your first day on the slopes and you find yourself forking out to replace it? You don’t need us to tell you that’s no good for your wallet or the planet. At Snow+Rock, we believe that if you buy quality gear that’s fit for purpose, it’ll last as long as you do, and you won’t have to replace it after the first run. Apply the same ethos to your gifts this year, and you’ll be a big hit with your friends, family and the planet. 

Going local doesn’t mean you have to compromise. We’re not just talking gifts with fewer airmiles – which will help to reduce your overall festive footprint – but local produce too. Nail Christmas dinner and cook up a storm with fresh, local produce that comes guilt-free.* Plus you’ll help support local businesses who know their products as well as we do, so you can be sure you’re getting what you pay for. Or go all in and grow your own, although it might be a bit late to start now. There’s always next year…

*Your eco-friendly conscience might be clear, but we’re not promising anything about the calories… 

The Christmas Tree conundrum: real or artificial? There are pros and cons to both, but we’ve got a few tricks up our sleeve. Why not buy a tree in a pot and reuse it each year, or use one from your own garden? If gardening isn’t your thing, you can still make a difference by disposing of your tree responsibly. Christmas trees are not only biodegradable, but they can also be recycled when the festivities are over – check out local recycling projects in your local area. Ultimately, the greenest tree is the one that’s bought locally and recycled. 

Ever spent a small fortune and several hours lovingly wrapping all your gifts, only for it to be torn off and cast it into a bin bag without a second thought? The last thing you want on Christmas day is a bruised wrapping ego and a pile of paper that gets used once before ending up in landfill (over 83km² of it every Christmas† to be precise). This year try using recycled and/or recyclable paper to help reduce the amount of virgin material being produced and keep it out of landfill. For a really premium look, wrap your gifts in scarves and double up on the presents and brownie points. We’ve got plenty to choose from…

†https://www.gwp.co.uk/guides/christmas-packaging-facts

For the creative amongst you, this is the perfect opportunity to get your fix and give a little back to the planet too. Make your own decorations, ornaments and even crackers, to avoid the plastic overload that goes hand-in-hand with festive decorating. Be inspired by the mountains and use natural materials such as pinecones and wood to create a sustainable and stylish look that will be the envy of all your guests.