Buy Durable
Decorations
Buy good quality
decorations that can be reused year after year, means you can establish new
traditions for your family and friends to enjoy in the years to come or make
your own, often less expensive way to decorate your home.
Celebrate
Recycling at Work
Check that your work
Christmas party organiser sets up well-signed recycling options for the event.
If possible avoid disposable cups and plates they're expensive and of great
size of waste resources.
Feel Good Gifts
Give low impact
gifts like organising experiences or practical, movie or show tickets, durable
items that meet a need are good, memorable options. Adopting a kris
kringle-style approach with your family and friends will allow you to focus all
your energies and money on arranging an outstanding gift for just one other
person.
Re-Wrap It Up
Use paper wrapping
rather than foil or plastic wrappers, then reuse or recycle it.
Newspapers, comic
strips and decorated brown paper bags work just as well as fancy paper.
Full Tummy Empty
Bin
Prevent food
wastage, only open what you need, serve smaller portions, store and use
left-overs. Plan your festive feast so that leftovers can be eaten cold or are
easy to re-heat the next day. Open packets of chips and crackers as you go,
instead of all at once. This will keep them from getting soggy and prevent them
from going to waste.
Recycle Right
Sort and recycle all
your aluminium cans, juice, cartons, bottles and other packaging. As a general
rule, plastic bags do not go in the recycling bin - they'll cause headaches at
most recycling facilities. If you have a collection of old plastic shopping
bags, simply recycle them at all major supermarkets.
Electrify
Recycling
Recycle old mobile
phones, TVs, computers or printer cartridges that get replaced. If you're
giving an electrifying gift this Christmas, make sure whatever you're replacing
is just as jolly, whether in a new home or at a recycling facility.
Many components and
materials inside electronics can be re-used and recycled. If they're sent to
landfill, these precious resources are lost and there can be a risk of heavy
metal contamination in the soil and waterways.
Batteries Included
If you're giving a
battery-powered gift, then remember to include rechargeable batteries and a
recharger too, it'll save money and reduce the gift's impact. That way the
Christmas cheer will continue throughout the year!
Love a Tree
Whether you're a fan
of that genuine pine aroma or you prefer the utility of an artificial tree, you
can keep your tree a little bit greener this Christmas. Live trees can have a
second life as mulch or compost, while artificial trees can be reused for decades
if properly cared for.
Make Room
You're not the only
one that may feel stuffed after Christmas lunch and summer parties - often our
recycling bins feel the strain too! Flatten aluminium cans, drink cartons and
boxes to save space in your recycling bin, then store any excess until your next
collection.
