1. Buy loose fruit and vegetables, preferably in season, and only buy what you need. With a three-course lunch and all the trimmings, most people won’t eat their weight in sprouts!
2. When all the work is done you can compost any fruit or vegetables peelings. Look out for creative meals from leftovers on Boxing Day. Visit http://www.wasteawarescotland.org.uk/html/foodWaste.asp for tips on how to reduce food waste.
3. Packaging can be the most annoying thing at Christmas, try to find items that have less packaging, why not buy someone vouchers or an experience for Christmas – what would mum prefer… a pair of slippers or a nice manicure?
4. Avoid disposable items especially things like plastic plates, cutlery and plastic bags. A nice reusable gift bag can be much more attractive than Christmas wrapping and has the added benefit of being able to carry all your presents afterwards.
5. Take some time when you choose your tree to consider the life of that tree? Consider buying a reusable tree or one grown in a sustainable forest. Consumer spend is a powerful force if we all took the time to buy sustainable Christmas trees the supply would increase. How many people have a Beta video machine? The generations to come will thank you for caring enough to make a difference.
6. If you have a real tree, don’t forget you can recycle it at one of the four recycling centres at Greenbank Crescent, Bankhead Avenue, Pitmedden Road Dyce and Scotstown Road once the festivities are over. Look out for real tree collection information on the council website and in the press.
7. Christmas decorations can be heirlooms for many generations or try making decorations for the tree. This can be a wonderful way to share the festive spirit with your loved ones. Nothing reminds you of a family Christmas like a tree covered in decorations hand crafted by you and your family.
8. When buying festive cards, wrappings and presents try to find recycled products or environmentally friendly versions. You can recycle your Christmas card and help the Woodland Trust see http://www.woodland-trust.org.uk/cards/ for more details. E-cards are another fantastic way to send Christmas cards to family and friends – Aberdeen City Council have their own e-card link: http://www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/ACCI/web/site/xec_ECard.asp and don’t forget you don’t have to pay for postage and clock up extra air miles on your message so overall a much cleaner way to say have a great Christmas!
9. Clear out the shelves and closet…what a wonderful way to get into the Christmas spirit by donating unwanted books, clothes and other items to local charity organisations. At this time of year remembering there are some folk less fortunate than us can be a worthwhile experience – it can also make plenty of room when Santa finally comes to visit.
10. Buy in bulk, try to avoid buying lots of small bottles or cans of juice and soft drink, buying larger bottles can reduce the amount of waste you produce. New Year is only round the corner so extra mixers in the house won’t go astray in the days ahead.
11. Remember to make the best use of your local recycling centres and points. You can recycle much of your waste close to where you live, visit www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/waste for your nearest recycling centre or point.
12. Write a shopping list, there is nothing worse than racing through the shops grabbing as you go trying to remember if you already have stuffing or not! Writing a list can help you organise your festive shop and means that you can check the cupboards and fridge before you buy items that could potentially go to waste. How many jars of cranberry sauce will you really need?
No one want to be bah humbug, but with a little extra attention this year you can make the festive season full of enjoyment without going to excess. You never know you might just save a few pennies too. Remember, you can ‘reduce reuse recycle’ all year round, not just at Christmas!
and on behalf of AUSA Environment & Ethics Committee and Waste Aware team Aberdeen
“We wish you Merry Xmas and a very Happy New Year.”
For more information on waste issues visit
www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/wasteawarexmas
http://www.abdn.ac.uk/estates/environment/waste/home.php
http://www.nus.org.uk/Student-Life/Ethical-Living/Reduce-reuse-recycle-/
