Green Christmas

Dreaming of a Green Christmas

Christmas is a time for joy and celebration. The tips below will not limit your fun but will help to reduce the environmental impact of your Christmas celebrations this year.

• Turn-off your computer and monitor before leaving work for the Christmas holidays.
• Don't overdo your festive lights.  For the lights you do put up, be sure to turn them on only when it's dark and off before bed to reduce energy use and emissions. And perhaps you could consider making the switch to GreenPower!
• Buy a live Christmas tree and plant it when the holiday is over.
• Use recycled cards and gift wrapping for all of your gift needs. Better yet, get creative and wrap gifts in reusable items such as cloth napkins or tea towels that can be used again rather than thrown away.
• Check out this link for better options for Christmas cards www.gmagazine.com.au/node/545/full
• Use string instead of tape for your pressies - tape is carbon-intensive to produce and is not biodegradable.
• Instead of giving 'stuff' try giving an experience (tickets to an event, a romantic dinner, babysitting!).
• Support our community this Christmas. Donate goods to those in need or spend some time with someone who may not have family around them this Christmas.
• When preparing Christmas lunch, try and buy locally produced food.
• Be sure to put your Christmas cards, envelopes and wrapping paper in your weekly recycling service, or re-use them for craft with the kids.

This item was posted in December 2009.