Having a greener Christmas
There are many things you can do to make your Christmas celebrations greener.
You can save money and help the planet by following the simple choices you make:
Christmas Tree
Try to buy a tree that has been grown locally rather than an artificial tree
or buy a living tree in a pot with roots still attached. You can plant it in
your garden after Christmas and reuse it the following year. If you already
have an artificial tree (those are designed to last), make it greener by hanging
on to it for as long as possible.
Greener Gifts
Try to buy gifts made from recycled or recyclable materials. If you’re
buying electrical goods, choose Energy Saving Recommended labels. You could
also give a special experience like theatre tickets or an ethical gift, ie.
an acre of rainforest.
If you’re buying for a large group of people, organise a ‘Secret
Santa'; everyone puts their name in a hat and then picks out the name of one
person to buy a present for, on an agreed budget.
You also can choose gifts from charity shops, they have a wide range, from
clothes and books to music and jewelry.
Lights and decor
Choose natural decorations, ie. holly and mistletoe that give your home a traditional
festive feel which can be composted afterwards. Buy Christmas lights made with
light-emitting diodes (LEDs), which last longer and are up to 90 per cent more
efficient.
Food & Drink
To save money and waste less food for a Greener Christmas, you should only
buy the food you need. Look for food labels like organic, LEAF or MSC - food
produced with consideration for the environment. Use any leftovers in composting,
ie. vegetable peelings, tea bags and even egg boxes.
Saving Energy
To cut your energy use, and fuel bills at Christmas: Turn your Christmas lights
off during the day and when you go to bed. Fully load your dishwasher with pots
and pans before switching it on. Turn unnecessary lights off, do not leave appliances
on standby.
Recycling after Christmas
* By passing unwanted gifts, wrapping paper, envelopes, packaging and even
stamps on to a charity shop or to organisations like Freecycle or The Woodland
Trust’s, or you can take them to the nearest Oxfam Shop.
* If you cannot replant your Christmas tree, check if your local council will
recycle it.
* Regarding dispose of batteries, ask your local council if they have a recycling
scheme or your local civic amenity site (waste and recycling centre).
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