SUSTAINABLE CHRISTMAS TIPS PART 2
Following on from our blog post last week – Sustainable Christmas Tips Part 1 here is Part 2 – our next top 5 tips on how to have a sustainable Christmas.
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Reusable Shopping Bags
Remember to take your reusable bags when you’re out shopping for your Christmas gifts this year. With single use plastic bags now banned in most parts of Australia, this is much easier to do. Just remember to take enough bags with you to carry all those presents!
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Natural Christmas Candles
Candles are an important part of Christmas decorations for many people during this time of year, whether they are part of your table display or just scattered around the house. So, it’s important to consider the impact your candles have on the environment and what they are made from. Traditional candles are made from paraffin, which releases toxic benzene and toluene when burned (both of which are known carcinogens). So, opt for candles made from natural wax as they are not only better for your health but the planet too!
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Christmas Cards
Sending Christmas cards in the mail to friends and family has been a long-time tradition for many of us, however there is an easier way and one that creates less waste – e-cards. If you would like to reach out to those who are important to you at this time of year, sending an email is a great alternative. But, if you would still prefer to send them a card in the mail, look for cards that have been made from recycled paper for a sustainable option. Then, in the new year, when you need to dispose of the cards you have received, try separating the back and front of the card and keep the front to re-use as a post-card to send to someone.
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LED Christmas Lights
An easy switch that will make your Christmas more sustainable is to shift from conventional lights, to LEDs. Did you know LED lights use up to 75% less energy than conventional lights? When you think of all the people that will be using Christmas lights to decorate their homes this year, making this switch will be great for the planet.
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Christmas Wreath
If you’re like us and love having a Christmas wreath on your front door during Christmas, there are sustainable options for this too. The conventional wreaths are made of plastic, but have you ever considered creating your own wreath? You can do this by using greenery from your garden or local park - it’s free and it will look incredible.
We hope you found this article on Part 2 of our Sustainable Christmas tips useful! Have you tried any if these before? If not, hopefully after reading both Part 1 and Part2 of this bog post, you have some ideas for changes you can make this year!