Xmas present tense
Having an eco-friendly Christmas seems to be quite the done thing this year,
but it’s hard to gripe.
Look at the facts, Jack. The average Christmas in the UK can generate as much as three million tonnes of waste, including around 160,000 tonnes of food waste, 80 square kilometres of wrapping paper, six million trees and 80,000 tonnes of old clothes and textiles.
In addition, the Royal Mail estimates it will deliver approximately 150,000 cards and parcels every day in the run-up to Christmas (that adds up to a massive one billion for the UK alone – most of which just end up in the bin).
It may traditionally be a period of indulgence and excess, but it’s all too easy to forget the impact these few weeks can have on the environment. New website www.greenandeasy.co.uk aims to change all that.
It has heaps of information and products aimed at people who want to make small but significant changes to their life that will help protect the environment, with sections on a variety of topics including household appliances, DIY, gardening, energy and finance.
And a new section dedicated to Christmas has just been added with lots of useful tips and advice on recycling, reusing and cutting down on your festive waste as well as offering suggestions for buying environmentally friendly presents.
Have you considered sending e-cards instead of traditional cards; adorning your Christmas tree in pine cones and decorations made from recycled card, aluminium foil and textiles; buying locally produced food and drink wherever possible to reduce carbon monoxide emissions generated from transporting products?
Of course you haven’t, but it’s time to start thinking. The way we’re going, we’ll be celebrating Xmas with a barbecue in the back garden, watching our sunburnt kids opening weeping sores instead of presents.
Is that what you want to happen? Well, is it? IS IT?! Send your answer on a postcard to ideas@peoplesrepublicofsouthdevon.co.uk.
Posted by Thin White Duke
If you liked this story, you could buy us a coffee --------------------------------------------------------------------November 1st, 2006
