Sustainability at Christmas: Considering single use items, traditional plastics and bioplastics

Figure 1 An Alternative Christmas Tree with the plastic gathered from the Ocean, Norfolk, England (Kolforn, 2019)

Christmas is a time of celebration, joy, and togetherness, but it also brings an enormous environmental toll. From single-use plastic decorations to excessive wrapping paper and unwanted gifts, the festive season generates a substantial amount of waste. In the UK alone, households produce an additional 30% more waste during Christmas, including 12 million tonnes of plastic (Figure 1), 1 billion discarded Christmas cards, and enough wrapping paper to stretch from the Earth to the Moon (North London Waste Authority 2015; Environment Agency 2022). Amid this large concern, bioplastics are emerging as a sustainable alternative for reducing the environmental impact of Christmas. 

Derived from renewable resources and/or designed to biodegrade under specific conditions, bioplastics offer a promising way to rethink holiday traditions. By replacing traditional plastic with bioplastics in gifts, decorations, and even wrapping, we can celebrate responsibly while supporting a healthier planet.

The environmental consequences of plastic waste are well-documented. Traditional plastics, made from fossil fuels, can take hundreds of years to degrade, harming ecosystems and wildlife (Kumar et al., 2021). At Christmas, this issue worsens with the increased use of plastics in decorations, wrapping, and toys, many of which are discarded after short use. 

These plastics often cannot be recycled due to additives or coatings, leading to landfill waste. Additionally, plastic production contributes to climate change by releasing greenhouse gases unless powered entirely by renewable energy (Evode et al., 2021).

Figure 2 Plastic Christmas Lantern with Model Candle and Holly Sprig (MoDiP, 2024)

Bio-sourced plastics are more sustainable than fossil fuel-derived plastics since they are derived from renewable resources including corn, sugarcane, algae, or waste biomass. Consequently, bioplastics help reduce our reliance on fossil fuels, significantly reducing our environmental footprint. While not all bioplastics are biodegradable, they represent a more sustainable choice compared to traditional plastics, particularly in their use of renewable materials (Abe et al., 2021). The key to bioplastics’ potential lies in their ability to replace traditional plastics across a range of applications without compromising functionality. Whether it’s a bioplastic ornament on a Christmas tree or a biodegradable gift bag, these materials make it easier to reduce plastic waste while still enjoying holiday traditions.

Bioplastics offers many ways to make your Christmas celebrations more eco-friendly. For instance, traditional plastic ornaments can be replaced with bioplastic versions. These can replicate the beauty of classic decorations while providing a more sustainable alternative. The Museum of Design in Plastics (MoDiP) showcases vintage plastic decorations (Figures 2 and 3), which inspire contemporary bioplastic designs.

Figure 3 Plastic Snowman ornaments (MoDiP, 2014)

Bioplastics enable the creation of a wide range of sustainable gifts, including reusable kitchenware, toys, personalised items, and eco-friendly figurines. These alternatives not only offer practical options but also make thoughtful gifts that are kind to the environment. When shopping for these items, look for labels such as ‘bioplastic, bio-sourced plastic’ or the biodegradable symbol, often accompanied by the number 7 PLA within a triangle of arrows, indicating that they are made from renewable material polylactic acid (PLA)  (Figure 4). Another common symbol to look for is the leaf, which may indicate that the item is compostable, with or without the word ‘compostable’ written beneath it (Figure 5). If you’re unsure, always check for any manufacturer or retailer information on sustainability claims. 

Polylactic acid (PLA) is a bio-based and biodegradable material that can be industrially composted. PLA is widely used for creating custom gifts and designs, where its eco-friendliness and versatility make it a popular choice for sustainable 3D printing. Unlike mass production, which can leave unsold items in warehouses or landfills, contributing to pollution and resource wastage, 3D printing produces items on-demand, minimising overstock and its associated environmental impact. For example, Nikos Karpatsis, a 3D printing expert, has utilised PLA to create detailed designs ranging from holiday ornaments to intricate figurines (Figures 6 and 7). This method eliminates the waste associated with surplus production and offers endless possibilities for creativity and customisation, making it the perfect medium for personalised holiday gifts. Whether it's a custom ornament or a unique gift idea, the use of bioplastics in 3D printing offers a sustainable and innovative approach to gift-giving sustainably. By integrating bioplastics like PLA into this process, 3D printing supports environmentally conscious practices while creating thoughtful and unique gifts.

While you may not always realise it, you may already regularly interact with bioplastics. Many products, such as components in toys, board games, figurines, e.g. in hobbies like Dungeons and Dragons are increasingly made from renewable materials. These everyday applications demonstrate the growing presence of bioplastics in our lives, offering a subtle yet impactful way to reduce our reliance on conventional fossil fuel-derived plastics.

As society embraces bioplastics, it's important to consider their preservation, particularly in museum collections where preservation is key. Many bioplastics degrade faster than traditional plastics, posing a challenge for their long-term preservation. Our current research into the conservation of bioplastics is crucial not only to improve their durability for use but also to ensure that bioplastic objects in museum collections are protected from degradation (Pye, 2016). This highlights an important aspect of sustainability for some items, namely balancing the eco-friendliness of materials with their preservation needs.

As you prepare for the holidays, consider making small changes that will have a big impact. Choose recyclable or bioplastic gifts, decorations, and wrapping to reduce your environmental footprint. By choosing sustainable options, we can all contribute to a greener, more responsible holiday season. Together, we can make the gift of sustainability the most meaningful present of all.