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Festive footprint

Festive footprint

December 19, 2019
Insight
Earth & Environmental
Comment And Analysis, Environment, Policy

More than 11,000 scientists have warned of a “catastrophic hothouse Earth” that could result from climate change. On that cheery note, we look at the environmental trail and greenhouse gas emissions left by our yearly festive blowout… 

  • 90,149 miles travelled by the ingredients in a typical Christmas dinner – more than three and a half times the circumference of the world

  • 20kg of CO2 emissions per UK Christmas dinner

  • 16kg carbon footprint of a 2-metre Christmas tree if it ends up in landfill

  • 227,000 miles of wrapping paper thrown away each year – 95% the distance to the moon

  • 250 tonnes of Christmas tree remains thrown away that could have been used as compost

  • 114,000 tonnes of plastic packaging not recycled in the UK at Christmas 

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