News
A Green Christmas
Posted on December 12, 2008 9:18 AM
Here's our top 5 Green Christmas tips that'll help you to save money, reduce your Christmas carbon footprint and have a more eco friendly and sustainable noel.
Don't forget to turn off your fairy lights
Christmas tree lights left on for 10 hours a day over the 12 days of Christmas produce enough carbon dioxide to inflate 12 balloons.
Christmas cards
An estimated 1.7 billion Christmas cards are sent each year in Britain, the equivalent of 200,000 trees, and around 1 million Christmas cards are thrown away every year. I try to send recycled Christmas cards, or send texts or e-cards instead. After the big day, make sure your Christmas cards don't go to waste - take them to a Woodland Trust recycling point.
Deck the halls with real holly
Instead of spending money on artificial Christmas decorations that won't biodegrade, let nature decorate your home.
Tree Buying Tips
Buy from a small-scale sustainable grower and/or make sure the tree has Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) accreditation, you can go to www.soilassociation.org/christmas for a list of producers.
And choose a tree with roots so it can be replanted. If replanting isn't an option most local councils run Christmas tree recycling schemes. Contact yours or go to www.letsrecycle.com
Recycle your unwanted presents
Unfortunately everyone receives at least one unwanted gift at Christmas. I often recycle my unwanted presents to charities. Local hospitals and hospices are often very pleased to receive unwanted smellies to give to patients. Or you could try our regifting forum - and swap them for other people's unwanted gifts!