Environmentally conscious Christmas shopping – Tips from the Blue Angel ecolabel

Things can get pretty hectic at Christmas – baking biscuits, decorating and, of course, buying gifts! And to make sure children don’t uncover the mystery of Father Christmas, it’s best to wrap the gifts in brightly coloured wrapping paper. This produces a great deal of waste once the gifts are opened. However, even in the consumption-heavy Christmas period, there are ways to shop while being environmentally conscious. Find out how important that is to Germans in a report by Alex Garthofen now.

Listen to the report here (mp3 format, 2,78 MB).

Since wrapping paper only stands between the recipient and their eagerly awaited present, it’s a good idea to use recycled paper. Environmentally responsible actions and Christmas joy are not mutually exclusive, says Janine Braumann from the German Environment Agency.

Janine Braumann: Anyone who wants to wrap their gift in an environmentally friendly way would do well to pay attention to the Blue Angel. This certifies wrapping paper made from 100 per cent recovered paper – which protects wood as a resource. And the good thing is also that energy and water are saved during its manufacture compared to the manufacture of fresh-fibre paper. Alternatively, some gifts can be packaged in reusable bags, which, of course, should also be made from recycled paper.

Why are independent seals such as the Blue Angel or the EU Ecolabel an important and reliable guide when shopping?

Janine Braumann: The impact that a product has on the environment or health cannot always be identified on the product itself – this is difficult for consumers. That is why the Blue Angel makes the invisible visible. It indicates whether the product was made in an environmentally friendly way, whether resources have been protected, whether it is long-lasting and can be repaired. It is now shown on over 100 product groups and is a really good, trustworthy guide for eco-friendly shopping.