Hosts Can Throw an Ethical Christmas Party

07/12/2007

It is possible to throw a smashing Christmas party and remain ethical at the same time. The Christmas party and holiday season is a time of year when we create a huge amount of waste. Simple recycling can ensure there aren’t piles of rubbish bags ready to go to the land fills after the guests leave.

In an article for Western Mail Catherine Jones offers tips on how Christmas party hostesses can help save the planet. Jones reports that The Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales says we generate more waste during the Christmas party and holiday season than any other time of the year. Ethical tips include:

“Recycle your unwanted presents. Raise funds for wildlife by selling them on eBay and donating the proceeds to the trust.

Buy your Christmas dinner from a farmers’ market. Organic is fresher, tastes better and you will be helping the local economy.

Turn off your fairy lights – 15% of household electricity is wasted by leaving electrical items such as televisions on standby. Get in the habit and you’ll save £37 a year.

An estimated one billion Christmas cards are sent each year in Britain, the equivalent of 200,000 trees. Choose charity or recycled cards and wrapping paper.

Use string, ribbon or wool for securing gifts rather than sticky tape which is not biodegradable and prevents wrapping paper being reused.”