Think recycling amid the furore
HAVE you ever wondered about Santa’s carbon footprint? No, well either have I, but it did occur to me an eco guide to Christmas Day could come in handy before the big event. What’s eco-acceptable and what’s not is a minefield during the festive season, starting with the Christmas tree.
It helps to know that the PC police will get you whatever way you go with your Christmas tree. If you have a real fir tree, you know it’s going to be messy and it’s likely to have consumed more carbon miles than all of Santa’s reindeers put together. But if you have a non-biodegradable fake tree, it’s sure to end in tears – and in landfill.
As for decorations, there are essentially two types of Christmas styling: the flashing, trashy Las Vegas style of decorations or the sad Etsy, “Have a very crafty Christmas.”
On the plus side of your eco scorecard, Christmas is an opportunity to turbo-charge your recycling habits. I like to think I’m eco-aware, so when it comes to Christmas gifting I go straight to my present drawer, overflowing with 100% fully recycled presents. Someone has to appreciate the boxed soap/hand cream/candle making kit.
On the day itself we all know there’s going to be lashings of food, drink, as well as inappropriate friends, family, more unwanted presents, unrealistic expectations and probably more fights than usual. Remember Christmas Day is just like any other day. It really is the holiday of excess, so I suggest you recycle the festive cheer and enjoy it.
Merry Christmas.
WHAT’S ECO-ACCEPTABLE AND WHAT’S NOT IS A MINEFIELD