Things to be Done to Have a Green Christmas Day

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.

Drink organic wines and beverages and best yet drink tap water (FREE)