What this e-book is aiming to achieve… Sustainable Christmas! ENCOURAGE SUSTAINABLE THINKING, LEARNING & DOING SLOW THE IMPACT ON OUR ENVIRONMENT & RESOURCES What is this e-book not aiming to achieve!! TAKE THE FUN OUT OF XMAS FESTIVITIES & TRADITIONS INCREASE COSTS (IN FACT, WE ENCOURAGE FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY TOO!) TAKE AWAY YOUR CHOICES. WE WANT YOU TO PICK AND CHOOSE WHAT WORKS FOR YOU Let’s start with some facts… What makes Christmas UN-Sustainable ? SOME ANNUAL XMAS STATS FROM UK... (because we could not locate NZ data) + ESTIMATED THAT EVERY + 4,500 TONNES OF TIN FOIL USED CHRISTMAS TREE BOUGHT IN THE + 13,350 TONNES OF GLASS USED UK THIS YEAR PUT END TO END, + WRAPPING PAPER TO GO ROUND THE EQUATOR NINE TIMES WOULD BE THE EQUIVALENT OF A RETURN TRIP TO NEW YORK CITY + ESTIMATED THAT 230,000 TONNES OF FOOD WORTH APPROXIMATELY £275 MILLION GETS THROWN AWAY ACROSS THE UK DURING CHRISTMAS. And finally before we move onto the fun stuff.… What makes Christmas UN-Sustainable ? • SHIPPING OVER GREAT DISTANCES • PRODUCTS, PACKAGING AND PROMOTIONAL MATERIAL MADE FROM NON-RECYCLABLE & TOXIC MATERIAL (ENDS UP IN LANDFILL OR THE OCEAN) • CARBON GENERATED DURING PRODUCTION • CHEAP (SOMETIMES SLAVE) LABOUR • WASTE • AND MORE… SOMETHING TO CONSIDER… If households that usually buy electronic items at Christmas, pledged to buy two less this year and bought books instead. They would save 55kg of CO2! That’s a huge impact! So, how can we reduce our impact and still have a Merry Christmas? REFUSE: IF YOU DON’T NEED ANYTHING, TELL PEOPLE POLITELY IN ADVANCE. REUSE: IF YOU HAVE IT, REUSE IT. IF YOU DON’T, BUY REUSABLE WHERE YOU CAN. REDUCE: BE ORGANISED. ONLY BUY WHAT IS NEEDED. AVOID UNNECESSARY EXTRAS & DOUBLE UPS RECYCLE: BE CREATIVE & RESOURCEFUL. ASK AROUND. BUY SECONDHAND. TRADE. SHOP SUSTAINABLY: How to have a more Sustainable Christmas FOUR AREAS WE EXPLORE IN THIS GUIDE: Tree & Decorations Wrapping Gifts Food What makes Christmas more sustainable ? CHRISTMAS TREES WITH A DIFFERENCE: If you already have a Christmas tree option, by all means REUSE it. If you don’t, here are some sustainable alternatives: • Build a Christmas tree from sustainably sourced items (e.g. driftwood or recycled decorations) • Hang a Christmas tree image on the wall (this is a great space saver too!) • Keep a Pohutakawa (or your choice of tree) potted in your home and garden all year round and when Christmas time comes, turn it into your Christmas tree. Tree & Decorations What makes Christmas more sustainable ? DECORATIONS CAN BE FESTIVE & FUN: Again, we encourage you to bring any existing decorations you own back to life. But if you don’t own any or you feel the need more, we encourage you to get creative! Here are some ideas: • Have a family or friends craft day, using items you own or can sustainably source. There are so many ideas online. • Mini Christmas trees made out of fabric or ribbon offcuts and branches. • For the wine drinkers, use the corks to make reindeers. • Snowflakes made from twigs. • Get creative with your art supplies, jars and vases, and more… Tree & Decorations What makes Christmas more sustainable ? WRAPPING DOESN’T HAVE TO BE BORING: We showed the facts earlier on how much wrapping gets consumed every year in the UK (enough to go around the equator nine times), but how can we help to stop this? Here are some ideas: • Make or buy beeswax cloths (they smell good too!) • Look up Furoshiki wrapping methods, this makes gift unwrapping fun! • Used recycled materials (e.g. recycled wrapping, brown paper, newspaper) • Use part of the gift as the wrapping (e.g. scarf or tea towel) Furoshiki wrapping method Wrapping What makes Christmas more sustainable ? GIFTING EXPERIENCES OVER MATERIAL GOODS: Time and memories are the greatest gifts of all. Here are some ideas: • Courses or workshops (e.g. dance classes, yoga, or cooking classes) • Live events (e.g. sports, theatre, concerts…) • Activities for kids (e.g. Stardome, Jump, or a camping trip) Gifts What makes Christmas more sustainable ? GIFTS THAT FEEL GOOD: Here are some great feel good by doing good gift ideas for the person who already has everything they need: Donations for.. ..a good cause GIFTS THAT ENCOURAGE NATURE: This goes for kids (e.g. a bug hotel for your garden) or adults (e.g. plants) Gifts What makes Christmas more sustainable ? IF MATERIAL GIFTS, BUY SUSTAINABLE & LOCAL: Food boxes.. ..from local producers Scarecrow has created The Small Gift Box Hunt and Gather Bee Co. Collection, a range of natural, local, artisan produces award-winning raw and sustainable gift packs. artisan forest honey in Raglan in six varieties. Sustainably packed They are just $40 each. in glass jars with paper labels from plastic-free hives. Gina Rose Jessica Kate Art Babywear. Clothing and accessories New Zealand based artist. Passionate made to order by me. Mama of two, about creativity, nature and the designer and creator of baby clothes. environment. Create works that inspire. Facebook: @ginarosedesign www.jessicakate.org Gifts What makes Christmas more sustainable ? THE CHRISTMAS FEAST: In the weeks leading up to Christmas: • Make space in your fridge, freezer and pantry • Plan your menu In the days before Christmas: • Make your shopping list • Store things correctly On Christmas Day: • Don’t serve everything at once, keep it stored and bring it out as you need it There are guides • Get everything in the fridge as soon as online that can help possible you prepare the right On Boxing Day amount for your • Eat your leftovers number of guests! • Freeze leftovers that won't be eaten Food What makes Christmas more sustainable ? FOOD FOR THOUGHT: Instead of all the meats.. ..what about choose one cooked to perfection and complimented with delicious sides. Food This e-book provides just some of the many ways we can play our part in having a more Sustainable Christmas. For those celebrating Christmas, We hope it’s a very merry one filled with good times and special memories made. SunnySunday Sources Facts: https://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/christmas-waste-green-recycling https://www.theguardian.com/environment/ethicallivingblog/2007/dec/14/avoidingunsustainablechristm https://sustainabledmu.wordpress.com/2015/12/21/sustainable-eating-at-christmas-facts-figures-and-solutions/ https://www.veggiehappy.com/eating-plant-based-meals-is-choosing-sustainability/ Alternative Christmas Tree, Decoration: https://onekindesign.com/2016/12/02/christmas-tree-alternatives/ https://www.naturallivingideas.com/32-homemade-eco-friendly-christmas-decorations-that-look-stunning/ https://www.countryliving.com/diy-crafts/tips/g2132/mason-jar-christmas-crafts/?slide=32 https://giant.sg/10-easy-eco-friendly-christmas-decorations-that-look-awesome Gift wrapping: https://redlandmarketvillage.com/alternative-gift-wrapping-ideas-for-the-holidays/ Gifts: https://sustainable.org.nz/christmas-gift-guide-2019/ https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/twin-your-toilet-donate-goat-other-sustainable-gift-ideas-ambrose/ Food: https://www.foodandhome.co.za/how-to/calculate-catering-quantities-per-person https://lovefoodhatewaste.co.nz/zero-food-waste-christmas/ SunnySunday Using a few hours one Sunday per month to learn or do good for the community and planet. Monthly educational events in and around Auckland covering a variety of topics, including Sustainability, Conservation, Eco-friendly lifestyle, Food & Nutrition, Art, Documentaries, Films & Readings, Mental & Physical Well-being, Nature Walks & Site- seeing, Science & Field-trips, and more.
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