Tips for a Sustainable & Green Christmas

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Have a sustainable and green Christmas

Australians are expected to spend millions of dollars in the festive season,  and making the right choice is essential to becoming more sustainable. There are many simple steps we can all take this Christmas to make a difference, and living green can also save you money.

Here are some ideas on how to have a sustainable and green Christmas, and give our environment a present this summer.

Cards, wrapping and decorating

  • Buy cards and gifts from charity stores such as those run by Red Cross, Oxfam and Community Aid Abroad
  • Recycle your Christmas cards in your recycling bin at home
  • Use recycled or pre-loved bags, newspaper or fabric to wrap your gifts. Tie your present with a bow instead of sticky tape and use paper that can be recycled
  • Reuse Christmas decorations, or involve the kids and make your own. Donate unwanted decorations to re-use organisations like Freecycle or Reverse Garbage
  • If you’re hanging lights for the festive season, use energy-efficient LED lighting
  • Buy a living Christmas Tree or use a native tree and plant it in the garden or a pot after Christmas
  • Otherwise, recycle your Christmas tree using our service.

 Festive food

  • Buy locally-sourced and seasonal free-range products and support local produce markets and/or Fair Trade food
  • Buy food with  limited amounts of packaging
  • Grow your own herbs and vegetables in small pots where there’s plenty of sun
  • For the gift that keeps on giving – give a seedling to loved ones to grow food and a compost bin or worm farm to help ‘close the loop’ and recycle organic waste
  • Ask the Australian Marine Conservation Society for a copy of their free Sustainable Seafood Guide
  • Use leftovers in salads, pastas, stews, soups, sandwiches, stir fries, omelettes, fry ups or fried rice
  • Avoid disposable plates and cups or buy biodegradable ones which can be composted. Bamboo plates will last and can be put through the dishwasher.

 Sustainable and green Christmas gift ideas

  • Give homemade gifts (eg. bake organic biscuits and give them as presents in reused jars), or give a box of fresh, organic and in-season food
  • Choose Fair Trade consumables such as chocolate and coffee or Fair Trade goods
  • Visit vintage fairs or antique markets to find that special second-hand sustainable gift
  • Consider a Kris Kringle arrangement with your extended family – more funds can then go towards a significant gift for each person, and it reduces waste
  • Give your loved ones a treat rather than a gift. Gifts of experiences such as a massage or tickets to a show have less environmental impact than buying goods
  • Consider a donation as a Christmas gift through charitable organisations such as St Vincent de Paul, The Salvation Army and Oxfam to help people here and overseas
  • Donate unwanted presents to local charity shops or to reuse centres like The Bower and Reverse Garbage.

Electronics

Australians are among the highest consumers of electronics in the world, generating 140,000 tonnes of E-waste each year, with an estimated 234 million items of E-waste in or on their way to landfill. (Total Environment Centre 2009).

If you are planning to buy a music player, phone or computer as a present or you end up with unwanted electronics you can:

  • Donate or on-sell through online networks such as Freecycle, Scoodi or Ebay
  • Organise a swap party in your community or join a local swap group
  • Look for products which have take back or recycling programs
  • Buy presents which are durable, repairable and carry a good warranty
  • Consider leasing a product rather than buying it outright
  • Ensure your electronics have good energy star rating
  • Look for rechargeable batteries and recyclable or reusable cartridges, and paper
  • Recycle mobile phones through MobileMuster
  • Check the Guide to Greener Electronics developed by Greenpeace for a rating of the major brands.

E-waste Recycling

The City offers a free E-waste recycling drop-off collection for Council residents. Collections take place quarterly. For more information visit our website.

Be Green all year round!

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2011 Green Pedal Power Project

Green Villages is about fostering and celebrating sustainable green villages throughout the City of Sydney. Our program offers residents free workshops, green grants, community spaces and top tips to live green in our urban environment. Most importantly, Green Villages encourages working together as a community to sustain the spirit of our neighbourhoods and nurture our planet.

City of Sydney is proud to announce the Green Villages Pedal Power Project which will be at each of the four Village Christmas Concerts including, Rushcutters Bay, Rosebery, Alexandria and Surry Hills. The Green Villages Pedal Power Project will be a chance for you and the family to pedal for power!

The harder you pedal the more power produced!  So come along and start pedalling!

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