Let the countdown to Christmas begin!
It's the most anticipated time of year, and it's almost here! We're here to help you countdown to a sustainable Christmas this year with our top Christmas tips.
We are all responsible for looking after our planet. Use this calendar to make small, sustainable changes every day this month!
Broken fairy lights? Don't bin them! All electronics are full of precious materials we can recover, so bring them to your local HRC.
Better yet. . . why not take them to a repair cafe? Look out for the Balsall Heath, St John's Harborne, and Sutton Coldfield repair cafes (check websites for more information).
Did you know...
That the plastic waste generated by the UK each Christmas equals the weight of 3.3 million Emperor Penguins! Take extra care to recycle in this period, at school, work, and at home.
And watch the video below to see what happens to your cans as they go on their recycling journey...
Did you know that lots of beauty retailers and brands are providing collection points for empties? Check out this map by the British Beauty Council to see where you can take back your beauty and grooming packaging and containers. High Street Stores like Holland and Barratt and Boots offer discounts and loyalty points, so be sure to look out for how recycling can bring savings!
Particularly with the rise of electric vehicles, there has been a major increase in demand for the raw materials that make batteries. For example, lithium demand is thought to increase by 9 times by 2050, and cobalt and nickel are thought to rise by 16% and 22% respectively (reference).
Mining for these raw materials is linked to major environmental degradation and labour abuse in countries like the Democratic Republic of Congo (reference). Watch the documentary which won the Premier Award at the Learning on Screen Awards 2023, ‘Cobalt Rush’, to learn more.
It is important to make these links, and understand how conserving natural resources by increasing battery recycling rates plays a part in the solution to improve ecological and human rights conditions across the world!
Why not check out Furoshiki instead of traditional wrapping paper?
This is a Japanese technique using fabric scraps to wrap gifts. This makes the packaging part of the gift, and your friends and family can re-use the fabric themselves. You could use an old dress, bedsheet, curtain, or shirt to make the squares.
Here is a guide to Furoshiki by Cover Earth. It looks at the fascinating history of the practise, and gives advice on techniques. Get folding!
We need to move past disposable decorative plastic! Here are some eco-friendly glitter alternatives:
- sand glitter
- coloured rice
- recycled sequins or beads
- dried flowers
- sugar glitter
- crushed glass glitter
- bio-degradable glitter
Challenge yourself to make the sparkle-swap this Christmas!
I challenge you to make this Origami Christmas Tree by Jo Nakashima...
Credit to Jo Nakashima (12/12/2018)
Did you know...
You can collect the pine needles that fall off Christmas trees and use it as mulch, by spreading it around the bases of plants, shrubs and trees. Acidic plants, like roses or blueberries particularly love it!
Why not get crafty with your cardboard waste?
It is a known fact... kids can have as much fun with a cardboard box as with the toy inside!
Why not challenge yourself to make a dolls house, a pair of angel wings, or a cardboard car from your old boxes? Use this blog, from KiwiCO, for inspiration!
Watch this video below to understand what happens to plastic once it is sent to us to be recycled...
Guess how many Christmas toys are neglected by the end of January?
25 million in just the UK! 120 million over the year!
If your toys aren't quite right, make sure you donate them properly, so they can be loved by another child. Most charity shops accept toys in good condition, or the Toy Project which focuses on recycling toys.
Electronic toys especially should not be thrown out! They have all sorts of valuable materials in them which should be recycled correctly.
