Tips For a Greener Christmas

At Christmas we often have a tendency to do things to excess from eating and drinking, to spending and creating waste. All of these things have an impact on our environment, and therefore on people at home and abroad, so it is an excellent opportunity to make changes and carry them through into 2001 as a New Year's resolution. These tips for a greener Christmas will start you off in the right direction.

Christmas Cards and Wrapping Paper

.    Make your own cards from recycled materials.

.    If buying Christmas cards and wrapping paper buy recycled ones. Many people are recycling now, but the system will only work if we buy goods from recycled waste. Wrap presents carefully so that the paper can be re-used.

.    If you have access to the internet, visit the Friends of the Earth website and send your Christmas cards electronically. www.foe.co.uk/cards/

Christmas Trees and Household Decorations

.    Instead of buying a Christmas tree, what about decorating a house plant? A fallen branch can look good if you put one end in a pot and then decorate it.

.    If you do buy a tree, choose one that carries a Forest Stewardship Council logo (FSC). This shows that the wood that it has come from is managed with wildlife in mind. If it dies, find out if your council runs a shredding scheme. The chips of wood are used on gardens.

.    Get the kids to make decorations. They can use left-over scraps of wrapping paper and tinfoil or collect pine cones and stick on glitter using flour and water paste.

Recycling

.    Where possible compost food waste. Recycle paper, cardboard, glass, cans, tins, and plastic bottles. You'll be amazed how little you end up putting in the bin. You could reduce your waste by up to 80 percent!

Food and Drink

.    When stocking up for Christmas goodies avoid foods which contain genetically modified ingredients. Better still, purchase locally grown organic foods where possible. Joining a local organic veggie box scheme will help you do this.

.    Farmers' markets are a good way to obtain locally grown or organically produced fresh food. Stall-holders can only sell their own produce and it must come from the local area, usually within a 30 mile radius. This cuts traffic and its pollution and by buying local

produce, you'll be putting money back into your local community. Organic food is often cheaper at farmers' markets because the middle man has been cut out. Christmas puddings etc can be purchased from Women's Institute markets.

.    Buy 'fair trade' products to ensure producers in developing countries receive a fair price for their produce.

Christmas Presents

.    Look into buying presents from charities that offer a fair deal to Third World producers. Many charities sell jewellery, clothes, ornaments, etc - and guarantee that the producer is given a fair price for their goods.

.    When choosing toys, go for wind-up versions. Batteries pollute the environment with toxic chemicals when they spill and leak. If you do have to buy batteries, choose ones which you can recharge as these have a longer life.

Energy saving

.    Save energy and cut your fuel bill by switching your TV off at the knob, rather than leaving TV, stereos etc on standby which still uses a lot of electricity that contributes to climate- changing pollution. Ask your electricity company if they can supply you with renewable energy.

.    Save energy while you are cooking your Christmas dinner by putting lids on pots and pans and putting more than one dish in the oven at a time. Only boil the amount of water you need in the kettle. Ensure your fridge has a tight door and defrost it regularly.

For Further Information:
Recycling:
Wastewatch tel: 08702 430 136 website: www.wastewatch.org.uk
Community Recycling Network website: www.crn.org.uk
Friends of the Earth: www.foe.co.uk/campaigns/waste/
Food:
Friends of the Earth: www.foe.co.uk/realfood/ tel: 020 7490 1555 for a free Guide to Real Food
National Association of Farmers Markets: www.farmersmarkets.net
Soil Association, for veggie box schemes, tel: 0117 929 0661 www.soilassociation.org.uk
Gifts:
Natural Collection for gifts with less environmental impact. The range of goods include cards made from 100 per cent post consumer waste and the Baygen wind-up radio and torch, please telephone the number below for the Christmas ordering deadline.
tel: 0870 331 33 33 www.naturalcollection.com
Fairtrade Foundation, tel: 020 7405 5943 www.fairtrade.org.uk