Its that time of year again Christmas, lets spare a thought and think of the things that we can do to help protect the environment. A little can make a big difference without spoiling the celebration.

POSTIIVE EFFECTS:-

Polluting industries often cease their activities during the holidays, and the atmosphere, land, and water are able to recover a little from the effects of pollution plus there is a corresponding reduction in motor vehicle emissions.

Christmas motivates people to donate to charity, include charities working to mitigate environmental damage.  Add signatures to FUTURO-Plan petition for World Peace.  http://viralpublishing.org/go/futuroplan

NEGATIVE EFFECTS:-

The exchange of presents in Christmas wrapping, many of which will be unappreciated, contributes to waste sent to landfills, better to regift them.

Artificial Christmas trees are manufactured by processes which may have harmful effects on the environment.

Electric Christmas lights consume electricity which harms the environment.
Increased travel to visit relatives involves the consumption of fossil fuels.

One solution is alternative giving, helps you save money, reduce your Christmas carbon footprint and have a more eco friendly and sustainable Christmas.

When buying gifts check that they have not been manufactured using cheap labour in sweatshops in third world countries. Read labels carefully, be aware of false claims that products are safe for the environment.  Support local Oxfam/Fair Trade/Amnesty retail outlets.

GIFTS:-
This year why not give a gift with a difference?

1. Young trees.
2. Bulbs or seeds.
3. UBiee Power Pills
3. Non-violent toys.
4. A homemade gift.
5. A gift of your time

CHOOSE:- Good quality products that will last. Products with a long life symbol keep the energy used in manufacturing new goods to a minimum and avoid the creation of waste.

Check that sprays and similar products are clearly marked “ CFC- free.” or “ozone friendly.” CFC’s damage the ozone layer.

Cosmetics useing natural materials, preferably  from companies, which will refill the bottle so it can be reused.
Soy, beeswax or natural vegetable-based candles as they biodegrade, smoke-free, and  more eco friendly.

DO NOT CHOOSE:- Disposable products.

Products with excess packaging, buy gifts and wrap them simply
Clothes made from natural fabrics such as cotton, linen or wool. Some outlets now promote garments made from environmentally friendly cotton.

Stationery and other paper products made from recycled paper.

Books dealing with environmental issues.

Paraffin candles are made from petroleum residues so neither do your health or the environment any good.

RECYCLE YOUR UNWANTED GIFTS:-

Unfortunately everyone receives at least one unwanted gift at Christmas. Recycle unwanted presents to charities, local hospitals and hospices they are often very pleased to receive unwanted smellies to give to patients.

CHRISTMAS CARDS:-

Billions of Christmas cards are sent each year, 1 billion is equivalent of 200,000 trees.
There's no point recycling rubbish if you don't buy recycled products!  Purchase wrapping paper and Christmas cards printed on recycled paper from charities that donate up to 20% to less fortunate people at the same time.

Recycling cards, wrapping paper, bottles, cans and even Christmas trees will mean less waste going into landfill sites that are filling up fast.
 

TOYS:-

Buy good quality toys that will last and can be used again and again eg wooden toys over plastic ones. This will help to reduce the amount of energy needed for manufacturing and to avoid the creation of waste.

Whenever possible, buy toys that run from mains rather than from batteries.

Pick games with an environmental theme, which help children value Mother Earth and how important it is to protect it.

Avoid poor quality toys and disposable toys.

BATTERIES:-

Millions of batteries are used every year, the toys and equipment requiring them is increasing all the time. Many batteries contain hazardous materials, including cadmium and mercury that cause pollution in disposal.

Remember that manufacturing batteries can take up to 50 times more energy than the batteries can provide. Mains electricity is many times cheaper than batteries.
Switch to using rechargeable batteries. A battery charger can make a useful Christmas gift.

Look for batteries that are free of mercury and cadmium. Dispose of batteries carefully.

Dont use old batteries with new ones. The new batteries try to recharge the old ones, cutting their useful life.

THE CHRISTMAS TREE:-

Real trees are carbon neutral, absorbing as much carbon dioxide as they grow as they will emit when burnt or left to decompose. Most Christmas trees are grown on managed tree farms for Christmas or come from thinnings of larger forests. They are a renewable resource and generate employment.

Buy a tree with roots in a pot, which you can use year after year. When it grows too big for indoor use, it can be replanted outdoors in the garden. Make sure that your tree is properly secured and positioned away from doors, stairs, open fires, and heaters. Use only good quality Christmas tree lights which meet approved standards.  In some areas Local Authorities operate recycling schemes where you can leave your old Christmas tree to be shredded.
Although artificial trees last for many years they are made from metal and derivatives of PVC, which requires large amounts of energy to make, and also creates by-products such as lead which can be harmful to both the environment and human health. The average life of an artificial tree is just 6 years and given that they are not naturally biodegradable they will potentially pollute a landfill site for many years to come. Most artificial trees are now made in Taiwan and China and so have additional energy costs associated with transport.

CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS:-

Buy good quality  decorations which will last year after year. Avoid the cheaper varieties, which have to be thrown away after only one use.
Encourage children to get involved in making decorations for the tree from everyday household items. House decorations can be made from organic, recycled and scrap materials. Try popcorn, dough, cinnamon sticks, bows, gingerbread, holly, seasonal berries, ivy and evergreen branches – once you have finished with them, you can put them in the compost.

Christmas tree lights left on for 10 hours a day over the 12 days of Christmas produce enough carbon dioxide to inflate 12 balloons - so make sure you get energy saving light bulbs for your home and try outdoor solar powered fairy lights without adding to your carbon footprint.

ENTERTAINING AND FOOD:-

Having a big crowd over for Christmas dinner can make it tempting to use disposable products. Plastic leaches chemicals into food, especially when heated, so if you store food in plastic, transfer it to glass before reheating. Buy organic fruit and vegetables, a little more expensive but they are grown without artificial fertilisers and pest-repellents, which can cause so much harm to the environment. Throw vegetable peelings on your compost heap to make some natural fertiliser. Organic turkeys taste better too try to make sure it has been reared in humane conditions. 
Buying direct from the farmer is far cheaper than buying organic in the supermarket. Think of the benefits – the taste of chemical-free food, the reduction in food miles and CO2 emissions, and reduced dependence on oil. If demand for organic produce grows, they will be grown in larger quantities and the prices will start coming down.

CHRISTMAS CLEAR OUT:-

When you are clearing up after it is all over, pay attention to what waste is being generated.  Remember to avail of recycling schemes for disposing of paper, glass and cans. Bring empty bottles to the nearest bottle bank and cans to the nearest can bank.  Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

With a little planning we can all have a wonderful Christmas and make a difference to the environment too.

Seasons Greetings

Fionnuala