Dreaming of a green Christmas

From City Scene, published on 16 December, 2007

A few small changes this Christmas can make a significant difference to the environment. Here are some tips:

use reusable shopping bags rather than plastic ones
buy environmentally friendly Christmas gifts, such as plants
shop smart by buying gifts that don't have too much packaging
buy products in bulk if you have lots of people coming over to visit
be energy efficient around the house by not having your Christmas tree lights going all night
salvage wrapping paper to reuse next year or make sure it gets recycled
flatten all cardboard boxes and wrapping paper, bundle or tie separately and place on the kerb for weekly collection
make sure you dispose of waste responsibly by recycling paper, cardboard and bottles, and composting scraps
don't put Christmas trees into wheelie bins - check disposal options or contact us
make sure you know when your rubbish and recycling collections are over the Christmas and New Year period by referring to the collection day schedule.
if you're off on holiday, ask a neighbour to bring in your bins after collection day to avoid advertising your absence
don't forget to switch off computers and electronic equipment at the wall before you go on holiday
make a New Year's resolution to do something good for the environment in 2008.