Green campaigning charity Friends of the Earth has put together five top tips to help people save the planet and some cash this Christmas without losing any Yuletide fun.
Paperless Christmas
Abandon wrapping paper - it's expensive, can be hard to recycle and is a huge 10,000-ton burden in landfill every year. Instead wrap presents in fabric, newspapers, old wallpaper, posters or recycled wrapping paper. Tying gifts up with string or ribbon instead of tape can create something truly special for your friends and family and allow them to re-use the wrapping.
Gift buying with a charitable twist
Two online shops have teamed up with Friends of the Earth to ensure you can donate vital funds to their campaigning work to keep the planet safe and healthy at the same time as getting some great gift inspiration. Check out The Natural Collection for beautiful and eco-friendly fashion, beauty and home gifts. Friends of the Earth will receive a donation of 10% of your order. For bookworms, The Book Depository donates 5% to friends of the Earth.
(If anyone wants to buy me one of their gifts... hint hint....)
A tree is for life not just for christmas
Did you know that you can rent a real Christmas tree rather than buy one? Plenty of businesses now offer this service and after Christmas they collect the tree and return it to the ground. I think this is a fantastic idea! Try The Little Tree Company.
Keep it going
Consider buying rechargeable batteries and a charger to go with any electrical gifts - these purse-friendly add-ons are up to 32 times greener than normal battreries. Prioritise gifts that don't need batteries or use solar or wind-up power, such as wind-up portiable radios - perfect for next year's festive season!
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Two's company, three's a party
Save money on petrol by sharing lifts with friends when you brave the shops. Transport is the third largest source of UK greenhouse gases and accounts for over 20% of our total emissions. For car sharing friends you have yet to meet try www.gocarshare.com.
Little changes to reduce your impact on the environment over the festive poeriod can make all the difference to the plant - and your purse!
