Green your Christmas

She states that going green is more than just limiting our impact on global warming and recycling. It is about realising that we all share this planet and that we have a responsibility to take care of it for others and ourselves.

By following the principles of ‘Reduce, Reuse & Recycle' as well as ‘Rethink, Respect and Responsibility' everyone can make a difference to the environment and society, as well as save money, thus greening Christmas and the holiday season.

Many families end up with leftover food, bottles of consumed champagne and wine, food packaging and gift-wrapping, the majority of which end up in landfills. Being aware of our waste and making conscious decisions about what we use and how we dispose of it, is part of making the holidays green.

Green tips

Trees & Decorations
• Use an indigenous tree that you can plant after Christmas, or decorate an outdoor tree.
• Create your own home and tree decorations made from recycled, scrap and organic materials.
• Reuse items you have at home or use flowers and leaves from your garden.
• Use solar lights to light up your tree.

Packaging
• Be conscious of the amount of packaging that food and gifts come in
• Limit the amount of wrapping paper you use for gifts
• Reuse wrapping paper or gift bags from past gifts you have received. Keep wrapping you receive for future use.
• Use fabric, old scarves and bandannas for gift-wrapping
• Use brown paper or newspaper with ribbons or raffia instead of wrapping paper.

Food
• Make your own meals instead of purchasing pre-packed meals to decrease your packaging waste.
• Be conscious of the amount of food you prepare - do not over cater.
• Use organic foods for your Christmas meals.
• Use home-grown vegetables and herbs if you're fortunate enough to have planted some earlier in the year.

Recycle
Separate your glass, cans, plastic and paper and recycle.
• Recycle whatever you can - including packaging, food and beverage containers, paper and gifts.
• Drop off all your recyclables at a recycling collection depot after Christmas.

Gifts
• Create your own Christmas cards or send e-cards.
• Give gifts of food or make a donation in someone's name to an environmental or animal welfare organisation.
• Plant a tree in someone's name and give them a certificate. This is a gift that will last a lifetime.
• If you receive gifts that you have no use for, then pass the gift on to someone who will benefit from it, or give it to a welfare organisation to use or sell.

Shopping
• Remember to take your reusable shopping bags when you are doing your Christmas shopping.
• Try and do your shopping in as few journeys as possible to avoid additional transport emissions.

For more ideas and suggestions visit www.greenworks.co.za/christmaspage.html.