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Each year, Christmas gifts account for 57% of greenhouse gas emissions.

The ADEME considers that 300 million gifts are given in France during the end-of-year celebrations. However, less than one person out of five adopts an eco-responsible behavior during this period while a little more than one third knows the ecological impact of these traditional holidays.

To give you an idea, here are the most impactful practices during this period:

• Gifts have an estimated CO2 impact of 57%.
• Each family travels an average of 198 kilometers to spend the holidays with their family, 94% of which is by car.
• Concerning food, the ADEME estimates that 83% of the meals are prepared in an excessive way and induce a consequent waste.
• The sale of Christmas trees represents 52% of the GHG emissions for the decoration practice.
• Among the waste, about 20,000 tons of gift wrap are used over this period.

Some gift ideas from ADEME for an environmentally friendly Christmas:

• Useful and/or reusable gifts such as books, plants or eating locally.
• Canadian Christmas is probably the best option.
• Gifts with environmental labels.
• Gift coupons: a weekend or a cooking class.
• Second hand gifts.
• Prioritize quality over quantity.

Regarding children’s toys, avoid at all costs plastic, battery-operated and scented toys (which emit volatile and irritating organic compounds).

In order to offer a more responsible Christmas meal, we must avoid waste as more than 76,000 tons of food are thrown away during this festivity. Choose local products over imported ones and use quality products.

Finally, for decoration, choose potted trees so that they can be replanted later. Avoiding bright decorations would also be a good way to have an eco-responsible Christmas.

In the same dynamic of eco-responsibility, CircularPlace also accompanies you in your zero carbon footprint approach with its anti-waste solution. At CircularPlace, we have developed a marketplace connecting companies with associations and recyclers in order to valorize unsold and stagnant stocks.

We also provide you with an impact calculation for each of your sales and/or purchases, to allow you to consume with the least impact on the environment.