Our Christmas wish this year is that before you leave your office and head home to have a nice break, please take a little moment to think about what can be turned off or recycled. Last year there was a lot left on even on Christmas Day. Lets play a pre Christmas party game of 'How low can we go' in terms of energy saving.

Remember to:

• Turn electronics off at the plug if no one will use them for days.
• Turn down the thermostat if there’s nobody around to keep warm.
• Switch off all the lights as you leave.
• Turn off projectors

Also do not forget you can reduce your impact this Christmas at home as well:

• Turn your heating down by 1 degree and put on your Christmas jumper. (living rooms should be between 18 and 21 degrees)
• Get LED decorations – they’re 90% more efficient than the standard.
• Use old newspaper/brown parcel paper to wrap your presents. We use enough rolls of classic wrapping paper to stretch up to the moon every year.
• Don’t buy too much food and save your leftovers – current estimates suggest about 80% of Christmas food ends up in the bin. More food waste reduction tips.
• Make sure you get your recycling organised, and check local council information on recycling over Christmas.
• Think about sending e-cards rather than physical ones
• Buy only what you need, and buy local/ethical where you can
• This list is not exhaustive and there are plenty of helpful articles online

This New Year we know many of you will make resolutions around improving yourselves or changes you want to see. We suggest one important resolution to make is to reduce consumption and live more sustainable lives; as it will take each and every one of us making a difference to stay within 1.5 degree global temperature increase by 2030.

Wishing you a very Happy Christmas and a Sustainable New Year

The Environmental Sustainability Team