With a slight nod to Sesame Street this week’s Tuesday Tips is inspired by the letter R for recycling!
As we all gear up for Christmas I thought it would be a good time to create a blog post to inspire you whether a businesses or individual to consume less and recycle more. This may seem like a paradox. Admittedly by consuming less in the first place we should all have less to recycle. However, we all know that at this time of year Retailers tease us with shiny wrapping paper and cards; often we’ll succumb only to see them heaped in a huge paper mountain by the 26th of December. So what can you do to reduce your guilt and be greener this Christmas? Well the answer lies in consciously choosing to consume less in the first place. For example do you really need to send all those Christmas cards? Or would e-cards and online donations to charity be better for the environment and save you time as well?
Handy sites to help reduce waste this Christmas:
Virtual Christmas Cards
I love this ‘Considerate done’ campaign by Everyclick. It’s fun, simple and has great messaging. My ex-strategy colleague at a well known environmental comms agency created it and it has always stuck in my mind at this time of year. So why not spread the word and show your green credentials this year?
Ethical Shopping
Most people like real vs virtual presents at Christmas! So shop around and see what unusual ethical presents you can buy. You’ll often find the usual high street shops or online providers selling the same old variations. Why not show your friends and family that you’ve really sought an unusual present for them instead?
Here’s a selection of my favourite ethical / green retailers:
Nigel’s Eco Store (products)
Ethical Superstore (products)
Not on the HighStreet (products)
PeopleTree (fashion)
Junk Shop (fashion)
Howies (fashion)
MADE (jewellery)
The Body Shop (beauty)
Liz Earle (beauty)
Virtual Farmer’s Market (food)
Borough Market (food)
Spitalfields Market (food, fashion+)
Independent shops (mix)
Which presents?
Consider the type of gifts you give staff or family and friends. For example are you going to buy a plastic novelty toy as a joke for the Christmas Santa lucky dip? Or could you pick up a quirky book from a Charity Shop instead and recycle it wisely as a gift? Likewise books or experiences are often less wasteful than mass produced items sold with lots of packaging as a Christmas gift set.
So here’s some ideas to get your creative mojo in gear…
- Books e.g. Amazon, charity bookshop or local independent
- Stationery e.g. Recycled
- Experiences e.g. Backstage tour of your local theatre? The National in London offers this
- Cooking classes e.g. Search London or elsewhere, Jamie Oliver’s, Darina Allen’s,
Work Meals
If you’re planning a Christmas work meal why not think about choosing restaurants that are:
- Local independents
Why not support them instead of all the big chains? - Use locally grown and organic food
Search here for places across the UK - Suitable for your staff or friends with dietary restrictions
For example look here and here, they’ll often use less processed foods
Upcycling
This maybe a new term to some of you. Upcycling = reusing items by turning them into something new and useful. So instead of giving them a second life by recycling them you Upcycle them and give them a totally new life! Find out more here: Upcycling UK
Reduce, Reuse and Recycle
So how can you reduce, reuse or recycle the waste you are left with this Christmas, that you can’t Upcycle? Well here are some handy tips and sites to explore. In terms of reduction the former tips above should have helped you…
Reuse
We all fear the unwanted present or comedy Christmas jumper that we’ll have to smile politely at when we receive it as a gift. However, what to do afterwards? Your problem should be solved with these handy sites…just make sure your giftee doesn’t use them !
- Freecycle: here you list and give away unwanted items for free, or collect ones you’d like
- Swishing: Fashion swapping parties plus wine and nibbles. Start your own or find your nearest here
- Green eBay: You’ve got it – like eBay but greener! Peek here
- Ecomodo: Lend and borrow everyday items, look here
- Charity shops: Don’t forget your local highstreet, find your nearest here
- Schools & Medical Centres: Ask yours if they’ll accept unwanted toys or gifts. More likely to if unused and wrapped
Recycling Tips
I’m sure most of you know many of these already so I have saved them until last. If you don’t or think your friends and work colleagues would be interested then please send them this page via share a link, or tweet them. Enjoy!
- Recycle More: Locate your nearest recycling centres and discover hints and tips
- Recycle Now: Recycling tips
- Love food hate waste campaign: Get involved, save money and share tips
Your Comments
I hope you found this a handy blog. Let me know the recycling and ethical sites you love and why? How are you engaging your employees this winter for social or environmental causes?
