I'm dreaming of a green Christmas
An average Christmas in the UK can generate as much as 3 million tonnes of waste including:
- Around 160,000 tonnes of food waste
- Over 80 square kilometres of wrapping paper (enough to cover an area the size of Guernsey)
- 6 million trees
- 80,000 tonnes of old clothes & textiles
- The Royal Mail estimates it will deliver approximately 150,000 cards and parcels every day in the run-up to Christmas (that adds up to a massive 1 billion for the UK alone – most of which just end up in the bin)
Not to mention the increase in energy usage from new electrical appliances and Christmas lights!!
On this page you can find out how to reduce the waste you produce over the festive season and recycle what you do produce , as well as how to save energy (and money!) and have a green Christmas!
Reduce waste at Christmas
It is always better to reduce waste in the first place and probably cheaper too! You could send email greetings cards, for example, instead of sending ones made of card. You could also use newspaper and magazine covers to wrap presents or your childrens discarded art work for that personal touch!!
Many gadgets bought require batteries, which cost money and need to be disposed of (find out how to recycle them below). Why not buy rechargable batteries instead, which will last alot longer and save you money into the bargain!
Recycle your Christmas cards & Reuse your tree
Christmas cards can be recycled along with your cardboard.
Your Christmas tree can be re-planted in the garden to be used again (as long as it's a real tree with roots of course).
Save energy, save money & help save the planet
Save energy, save money & help save the planet
