Waste Wise Christmas
During the festive season, Australians produce much more waste than usual, but there are a number of simple things you can do to reduce your impact on the planet and still enjoy a wonderful celebration with friends and family. Some ideas include:
- buy a meaningful gift from not-for-profit organisations where your money funds projects, infrastructure and training programs for people in developing countries
- donate to an environmental organisation instead of giving presents to the person that has everything
- give a magazine subscription to an environmental magazine that will provide your loved one with fantastic environmental living tips all year round
- wrap presents in your children's pictures, recycled paper, comic pages of the newspaper or tea towels
- decorate a potted plant with good quality decorations that can be used for many years
- plan meals wisely and only buy what you need (we throw away 3.3 million tonnes of food waste every year)
- offset your greenhouse gas emissions from air travel with a carbon off-setting company
- consider making 'Green New Year Resolutions' such as installing energy-saving light bulbs or a water tank.
More information
Planet Ark - ideas for celebrating a 'clean, green, festive season' and reducing water, energy, waste, travel and more.