![Dreaming Of A Green Christmas](https://magarticles.magzter.com/articles/10252/384708/5dcfb6cda658e/Dreaming-of-a-green-Christmas.jpg)
Yes, the festive season is one of the most joyous times of the year, but do you know the impact your ‘merry Christmas’ could be having on the environment? Whether plastic decorations, countless greeting cards or unwanted food and gifts, Christmas generates a huge amount of waste, causing an added strain on landfills and extra CO2 emissions, becoming one of the most taxing times of the year for the environment. But there is still time to make a difference to your Christmas preparations to have a fabulous festive celebration while also cutting down on your environmental impact.
FOOD
Let’s start with ways to cut down your food waste. According to a report by Unilever, ‘each year in the UK the equivalent of 4 million Christmas dinners are wasted. This equates to 2 million turkeys, 74 million mince pies and 5 million Christmas puddings’.
So how can we help to reduce the horrifying statistics on how much food we throw away at Christmas? Annie Dalby, retail and destination marketing manager at Snape Maltings, believes planning is key and local farmers markets are a great opportunity to reduce your carbon footprint, but be organized with your food planning and don’t leave it until the last minute.
‘Know how many people will be joining you for Christmas and work out how much you’ll need from there,’ says Annie. ‘Remember it is quality over quantity – instead of a buffet-style service, reduce the amount you have on offer to guests.’
Produce bought locally means you will be supporting small suppliers and the local community while minimizing your carbon footprint, and Essex has a wide variety of farmers’ markets to choose from.
Naturally, there will still be some food waste however well you plan, but you can do wonders with Christmas food leftovers, which can provide many meals throughout the week and be frozen and kept for a later date.
Denne historien er fra December 2019-utgaven av Essex Life.
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Denne historien er fra December 2019-utgaven av Essex Life.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
![The rise of maskne](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/10252/539806/5f8eea3b74f95/crp_The-rise-of-maskne.jpg)
The rise of maskne
With the term ‘maskne’ becoming an increasingly common search online and on social media, Krystal Prince explains what it is and how you can control mask-induced acne
![The forgotten lady](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/10252/539806/5f8ee4f29cb7e/crp_The-forgotten-lady.jpg)
The forgotten lady
Charlotte Christie shares the life story of Anne Knight, an Essex pioneer for the abolition of slavery and women’s suffrage who’s achievements have almost been air-brushed from history
![Stride out in the Sampfords](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/10252/539806/5f8ee1abd46f5/crp_Stride-out-in-the-Sampfords.jpg)
Stride out in the Sampfords
This charming, circular winter walk takes you on a tour from the village of Great Sampford to its neighbour, Little Sampford, and back again
![MUCH TO TALK ABOUT](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/10252/539806/5f8ee816a7c9d/crp_MUCH-TO-TALKABOUT.jpg)
MUCH TO TALK ABOUT
As a presenter on Sky Music and the host of two TV talk shows of her own on Gidea Park-based Sky channel Spotlight TV, Hayley Palmer is never short of words. Nicky Adams asks her how she came to be in front of the camera
![LIFE and SOUL](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/10252/539806/5f8edcff21042/crp_LIFE-and-SOUL.jpg)
LIFE and SOUL
Radio 1 broadcaster and producer Charlie Hedges began her career as Britain’s youngest breakfast show host and is now one of the world’s most successful female DJs. Denise Marshall caught up with the Essex-based queen of the air waves
![Lest we forget](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/10252/539806/5f8edeb89888f/crp_Lest-we-forget.jpg)
Lest we forget
Remembrance Sunday will have a special poignance this month as 2020 marks the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II. Stephen Roberts profiles how much the county of Essex contributed to the war effort and how much it cost
![Lakeside Magic](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/10252/539806/5f8ee0a0a18f8/crp_Lakeside-Magic.jpg)
Lakeside Magic
The Lake House, nestled in Mill End on the outskirts of the village of Bradwell on Sea, has been owned by the same family for 60 years and was once a thriving four-buoy water-ski lake.
![Keep on running](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/10252/539806/5f8edba961078/crp_Keep-on-running.jpg)
Keep on running
BBC presenter and director David Whiteley shares his insightful view on stories from across the county of Essex
![Cheers!](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/10252/539806/5f8ee95b8a192/crp_Cheers.jpg)
Cheers!
Starting to get that festive vibe? Why not plan ahead by selecting not only the drinks you want to serve this Christmas, but also ticking off a few presents too?
![A doggy day out on… Saffron Walden](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/10252/539806/5f8ee2e749993/crp_A-doggy-day-out-on-Saffron-Walden.jpg)
A doggy day out on… Saffron Walden
Join Ernie, the county’s most famous Westie, as he steps back in time on a trip to this medieval market town