‘Think green’ this Christmas
Ballina Shire residents are being urged to ‘think green’ this Christmas.
The North East Waste Forum and Ballina Shire Council are encouraging everyone to make their Christmas a carbon cool one by reducing waste and saving energy and water by avoiding unnecessary purchases, packaging and products.
“Christmas generates much waste and greenhouse gas emissions,” said Karen Rudkin, Education Project Co-ordinator with the North East Waste Forum.
“The amount of waste that goes to landfill over the festive season is higher than any other time of the year, and much of this increase in waste is packaging and food waste that in many cases can be avoided, reused or recycled.
“Avoiding waste can be a lot of fun, as it often requires some creative thinking that will make your gifts or celebrations stand-out from the rest.”
Here are some hot tips from the NEWF and council about ways that you can ‘live the spirit of Christmas without it costing the Earth’.
Feasting
In NSW alone, householders throw out more than 800,000 tonnes of food a year to landfill.
In total Australian’s throw out over $5.3 billion worth of edible food every year. Food production and consumption accounts for 28 per cent of the average household’s greenhouse gas emissions.
Follow the tips below to reduce your household’s carbon footprint and to stop wasting food.
Save cash by planning meals and shopping with a list to avoid over-buying.
Buy locally sourced and seasonal food with minimal packaging.
Use food leftovers by throwing them into salads, soups, stir fry etc.
Set up a compost or worm farm to eat your food waste for you (they make a great gift!).
Avoid disposable plates and cups or buy biodegradable ones which can be composted.
For outdoor events pack a low-waste picnic, which contains no throwaway packaging and where everything can be taken home and either reused, composted or recycled.
Decorating
Opt for a ‘living’ Christmas tree – decorate one in your yard or choose a local native variety, watch it grow throughout the year and use it again next year.
If you can’t go without decorative lights, choose energy-saving LEDs. If you are going to swaddle your house in lights and have been thinking about making the switch to green power, now might be the time.
Cut down on paper and make your own cards, reuse saved wrapping paper, or make your own decorations with items you already have.
Send an electronic Christmas card or buy cards made from recycled paper.
Don’t forget to recycle your Christmas cards through Cards 4Planet Ark. Look for a recycling envelope or place into a box at any participating Australia Post.
Tie your presents with a bow instead of sticky tape, save the paper and reuse.
Go to www.recyclingnearyou.com.au/ or your local council website for information about recycling and how to properly dispose of electrical and other household items.
Gift ideas
Take your own bags when shopping and say ‘no’ to plastic and other unnecessary bags.
Be picky about packaging and don’t let style override content – simple is often best and you can create your own style by the way you wrap it.
Why not give gifts of experience over material gifts, such as trips to the cinema, shows, dining out, National Parks visitors pass, pampering at a day spa or support a project in a developing country.
Many quality products are now made with recycled content, from PET Polar Fleece clothing to furniture and picture frames. Remember, you are not really recycling until you buy recycled products.
Donate unwanted presents to local charity shops and reuse centres.
Look for products which have take-back or recycling programs.
Buy presents which are durable, repairable and carry a good warranty.
Ensure electronics have good energy star ratings.
Look for rechargeable batteries, recyclable or reusable cartridges, peripherals and paper.
Consider buying something second-hand and really do the planet a favour. If you want to know where on the North Coast you can buy a range of reuse or second-hand goods, have items repaired or serviced or perhaps loan or hire some equipment instead of buying it, take a look at the online Reuse directory at www.reusedirectory.com.au where you’ll find over 280 local businesses ready to help you ‘go greener for Christmas’.
