How To Think Sustainably This Festive Season | Practical Tips For Businesses And Teams

The festive season is a wonderful opportunity for businesses to show leadership in sustainability. By making conscious choices, companies can reduce environmental impact, strengthen community ties, and inspire positive action among employees, clients, and customers. Here are practical ways your organisation can celebrate Christmas with care for people and the planet.

1. Lead By Example With Sustainable Trees

The tree is always a topic of sustainability discussion at this time of year. “A real tree seems more natural, but aren’t we cutting down more trees that way?”, “We can reuse artificial trees, but aren’t they made of plastic?” It’s never a day or night kind of answer when it comes to sustainability. We act how we can, with best intentions in mind and within our own capacity. Overthinking gets us no where and can sometimes freeze us into inaction – and we definitely need to act, that’s for sure! So here’s a few ideas to think of with whatever tree option you go with:

• Have You Ever Thought Of Renting A Tree: Partner with organisations to rent living trees for your office. There are also options to get a potted tree and have it for life. Watch how it grows with you throughout the years. One example is Christmastree.ie in Cork, they even have an option to gift a tree to someone in need.
• Choose Real Trees Responsibly: If buying a real tree, ensure it’s FSC-certified for sustainable forestry. For organic and pesticide-free options, look for Soil Association approval.
• When Recycling Artificial Trees: If you are going for the reusable option, share information with staff about how to recycle them when they come to end of life. One option is through the reTree project in Dublin at Ballyogan Recycling Centre and Ballymount Civic Amenity. There may be similar projects nearer to you.

2. Rethink Corporate Gifts & Kris Kindle

Encourage employees and clients to give back through nature and community projects. We’ve listed a few examples here of initiatives we have worked with in the past:

• To support biodiversity and conservation:
  • Burren Beo Trust and the Hare’s Corner Project or the Burren Pine Project
  • Hometree and the Wild Atlantic Rainforest Restoration Project
  • Maharee’s Conservation Association
  • Green Ocean Foundation
  • Trees On The Land
  • Friends Of The Earth
• To support other charities making a real difference in inclusion and supporting people:
  • AsIAm
  • Plan International
  • Elephant in the Room

You can highlight these initiatives in your company newsletter or social channels and with your teams and clients to inspire others. Likewise with your office Kris Kindles too.

3. Sustainable Shopping For Corporate Gifting

When looking at team or client gifts, don’t forget to source gifts from local businesses or eco-friendly suppliers. There are plenty of clothing options available out there too. Check out some examples on the BCorp directory for organic cotton clothing ideas produced with renewable energy and shipped plastic-free. Once again, if you are doing a Kris Kindle in your office, share this reminder with your team. 

Experiences are also gifts that last forever. Here are a few examples from our sister company Sustainable Tourism Network.

4. Decorating The Office Sustainably

Host a zero-waste decoration challenge for teams – repurpose old materials or create DIY décor. Why not venture out on a team bonding event and take part in a workshop at the Rediscovery Centre for creative, sustainable ideas.

5. Festive Food For Events & Parties

Choose local produce and organic meat from trusted suppliers. Why not include more vegetarian or vegan options to the menu too. Also, don’t forget about waste. Christmas time can be a season for a lot of overeating and food waste so plan those portion sizes carefully, and always have a Tupperware box handy for leftovers!

6. Wrapping & Packaging

Encourage reusable wrapping or recyclable alternatives for corporate gifts. Share creative ideas like fabric wraps or repurposed materials.

7. Engage Teams & Clients In Positive Action

Use your company’s platform to share stories of sustainability and inspire others.

Bring the cheer to the office for a good cause. Organise Christmas jumper days for charities such as Focus Ireland or Barretstown, to give two examples.

Plan team bonding activities that connect people with nature. Here’s a few ideas to get the ball rolling on sustainable team bonding activities. For those who like to get hands on also, there are also plenty of ideas over at Common Knowledge (Clare), Brigit’s Garden (Galway) and Wild Acres (Wicklow).

8. Collaborate & Celebrate Sustainably

Encourage partnerships that amplify positive impact. Choose venues that align with green standards. When thinking of venues, we have a few suggestions from our sister company Sustainable Tourism Network (STN) here. All STN and SBN members avail of the member discount programme, so why not choose your fellow members this festive season and get a little discount while you’re at it!

Closing Thought On How To Think Sustainably This Festive Season

This festive season, businesses have a unique opportunity to lead by example. By embedding sustainability into celebrations, you’ll not only reduce environmental impact but also strengthen your brand’s commitment to community and climate action. Share these ideas with your teams and clients – because together, we can make sustainability part of the Christmas spirit.

If you would like to know more about who we are and how to join the Sustainable Business Network, head on over to www.sustainablebusinessnetwork.ie or get in touch with Rebecca at rebecca@sustainablebusinessnetwork.ie. Why not join us for our next sustainability in action networking event and see what it is all about to be part of this growing community of future-focussed businesses?