GREENS GO CRACKERS!

Ban Xmas bangs, festive tablecloths and wrapping paper, say eco protesters

SCROOGE eco-warriors have tried to scupper festive celebrations by calling for a ban on Christmas crackers.

They also want us to stop using wrapping paper, festive tablecloths and seasonal napkins to save the planet.

They say it could be the “perfect present to the environment” if families pledge to bin off single-use items for good because they are so damaging.

Bosses from a leading commercial waste management company say 40 million Christmas crackers are sent to landfill every year.

Business Waste spokesman Mark Hall said: “We want families to choose a sustainable Christmas just by using a bit of imagination.

“Christmas creates more plastic waste than any other time, with most of it going in the landfill or an incinerator. The scale of unnecessary waste is appalling. When you think of what goes in a Christmas cracker – plastic toy, the snap, the shiny paper hat, the ribbons – millions are pulled and immediately binned every Christmas Day. It is madness.”

And eco protesters agree. Sylvie Feraday, of the Global Green Growth Institute, said: “It is just so much waste and there should be a ban.

“No-one should be able to sell crackers. When we’re looking at carbon footprints, it is incredible to see how many people turn a blind eye just because it is their favourite time of the year. Just because it is Christmas doesn’t mean it should be allowed.”

But mental health expert Catherine Boyse said: “We need to not add pressure at this time of year. An outright ban would certainly do this.

“It’s much better people just use their common sense, make good choices and enjoy the big day. Especially after the stresses of the last year.”