Leeds Beckett University - City Campus,
Woodhouse Lane,
LS1 3HE
Staying Sustainable at Christmas
Christmas is a time for joy, celebration, and, unfortunately, a significant amount of waste—especially food waste. In the UK alone:
· The equivalent of 2 million turkeys go to waste each Christmas.
· Around 5 million Christmas puddings are binned uneaten.
· 5 million mince pies are thrown away over the festive season.
But with a few thoughtful changes, we can all reduce food waste and make our Christmas celebrations more sustainable. Here are some simple tips to get started:
Only buy and cook as much as you need
This starts in the supermarket when shopping for the Christmas dinner don’t do it hungry! You will end up buying too much, so go in with a strategy and a list based on what’s already in your cupboards at home.
Additionally, base what you buy on the amount of portions you have to make, you can use the BBCs Christmas portion planner can help you work out how much to cater for larger groups.
Make room in your freezer for leftovers!
Leftovers don’t have to be boring or go to waste. Clear some freezer space before Christmas so you can store anything extra. Get creative with meals like turkey toasties with gravy, classic bubble and squeak, or even a warming turkey curry with leftover veggies.
If you know you won’t use certain food, consider donating it to a local food bank—it’s a simple way to help those in need.
Start a compost
For unavoidable food scraps, composting is an excellent option. Since Leeds has limited food waste collection services, starting your own compost at home can make a big difference. Leeds City Council is currently offering discounted compost bins to help you get started:
· A Standard Green Composter works for garden waste, vegetable peelings, and eggshells, producing compost in 6-12 months.
· The Green Cone Composter can handle all food waste, including meat, fish, and cooked leftovers, turning it into compost in just 3 months.
If you’re new to composting, the Absolute Beginner’s Guide to Composting is a great place to learn the basics.
By planning ahead, storing food carefully, and composting scraps, we can all celebrate a greener Christmas—one that’s kinder to both our pockets and the planet.
