Eco-Friendly Christmas
The Philippine Daily Inquirer published an article regarding having an eco-friendly Christmas. Well, here in the Philippines, it’s about time that this is adopted. Kudos to our garbage and other pollution problems. Just because this is the season of indulgence does not mean we have to forget the “inconvenient truth” about how Mother Earth is suffering.
We can celebrate, we can be generous but let us also be kind to the planet where we live.
It is at times like this that we should keep reminding ourselves of the 3Rs?reduce, reuse, and recycle.
They used huge quantities of raw materials and energy, and generated all types of wastes and pollutants, including greenhouse gases that were causing a climate change.
Metro Manila’s trash generation of about 8,000 cubic meters daily is expected to increase by one-third during the Christmas season due to greater consumption.
To help consumers make this an eco-friendly Christmas, the EcoWaste Coalition released a 25-point “Eco-Advisory on Greening and Simplifying Christmas.” It includes:
1. Use recycled materials for your decor or recycle decorations.
3. Reuse old Christmas trees or use potted plants or trees, twigs or broomsticks.
4. If you have to buy holiday decorations, choose items that are locally made, non-toxic, reusable and require no electricity.
5. Create garlands made of recycled materials like old cards, gift wraps and ribbons instead of Christmas lights.
6. Choose safe, energy-efficient and long-lasting lights such as light emitting diode (LED) bulbs. Only use Christmas lights and electrical ornaments approved by the Bureau of Product Standards.
7. Use Christmas lights sparingly. Turn them off during daylight hours and switch them off when you are away or before going to bed.
8. Avoid lavish and wasteful parties.
9. Avoid throw-away utensils and plastic and Styrofoam containers. Go for reusables that can be washed and reused.
10. Manage party discards. Separate the biodegradable from the non-biodegradable and reuse or recycle the biodegradables. Give leftover food to pets or compost it to enhance the soil.
11. Choose reusable cloth napkins instead of single use paper napkins. Make cheap cloth napkins than you can wash and reuse from cheesecloth or flour bags.
12. Spend sensibly and avoid stress and debt from impulsive shopping.
13. Avoid impulse buying and limit shopping trips by car. Walk, cycle or take the jeepney, bus or train.
14. Say no to plastic bags! Bring a reusable carry bag, basket or bayong.
15. Avoid too much wrapping. Choose eco-friendly products!
16. Make your own gifts like plants from your own backyard, scrapbooks, or a CD music selection or products or delicacies from your province.
17. Choose gifts that do not need to be wrapped like potted plants, gift checks, etc.
18. If you need to wrap a gift, use old magazines or newspapers, old bandannas, etc.
19. Call or send e-cards. Create your own greeting card.
