Heya environmentalists! I apologise for the long radio silence. I was quite busy traveling (and admiring) around New Zealand! I got back (knackered) yesterday night. It's been long (2 months) challenging sometimes, adventurous and dangerous some others, but definitely enriching! Anyway let's go back to our fav topic, the environment! I will talk about my trip in New Zealand in a separate post and in a different section!
It's Christmas. Some love it some other hate it! However, we all have in our imaginary a Christmas Eve with tables laden with food of all kind (starters, main, second and dessert). A tree fully decked out guarding tons of presents. It's a cohesion moment, a moment which allows people to come together and share a sense of common purpose. However, going back to the picture I have described just few lines before, just imagine the amount of plastic, paper and food wasted during this cohesion evening. Unfortunately, Christmas dinners are among the moments where we produce the biggest quantity of waste. We over-exceed buying and preparing food, we buy many meaningless presents just for the sake of buying them. Especially nowadays we lost the real meaning of Christmas which is not sharing presents, but sharing moments with the people we care a love.
There are many ways to make this Christmas a better and more sustainable one.
1. Mind the wrapping paper:
Christmas gift wrapping isn’t recyclable, did you know that? Wrappily, for instance, a company based in the Hawaii sells recyclable and sustainable wrapping paper. It also helps local business, it accounts for up to 4 million tons of trash annually in the U.S. alone. Another option, cheaper probably for your Christmas presents could be using old newspapers. It's recyclable, cheap and personally I find it very stylish.
2. Buy used (always):
I am huge fan of charity and second hand shops. However, you can find good deals also online on Goodwill or eBay. You’ll also be saving money and reducing your carbon footprint at the same time!
3. Handmade is the way:
Why not do it yourself? Making your own gifts can be a very satisfying experience and generally personal gifts are always meaningful and appreciated. You can even move a step further by using recycled and sustainable materials.
4. Buy from local shops:
Reduce your emissions and support a sustainable local economy at the same time.
5. Use alternative Christmas trees:
Many options are available. You can decorate one of the plants you have home, create your own Christmas tree with cardboards or wood. If you are brave enough you can even draw it on the wall with pencil and crayons (be sure to use something you can clean afterwards).
7. Avoid Disposables:
Please, for you Christmas dinner Never, never use disposable, please. Seriously, I believe that nowadays they should be banned completely from the market. I know it's annoying (especially if you have a large family, we are 30 people at least) to clean dishes, pots, trays, cutleries and that using disposables is much faster and easier. But please, try to be considerate and if you cannot really avoid it minimise their use.
I wish you all a very green and merry Christmas!
Care and share!!
Live pono
Image credit: pixabay
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