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We all generate more rubbish over the festive period. About 85% of waste each household generates can be recycled or composted. Play your part in sustaining Liverpool and remember to Reduce, Re-use and Recycle to make it a greener Festive Season this year.
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Environmentally Friendly Gift and Present Ideas
· Think of making homemade gifts
· Buy gifts that are long lasting, repairable, refillable and easily recyclable
· Think of buying a plant as a gift, such as a native or fruit tree
· Think of purchasing a gift voucher or consider sponsorship
· Shop early online for your gifts and save petrol
· Use a calico bag when you shop and avoid using plastic bags
· Avoid buying gifts that have disposable parts, such as batteries. You could
buy a wind-up, solar powered or mechanical toy
· Buy rechargeable batteries for gifts
· Purchase gifts from a charitable organisation
· Donate unwanted Christmas presents to charity
· Purchase a gift for someone less fortunate through a wishing tree
· Purchase second-hand gifts.
· Set up a Kris Kringle gift exchange system instead of buying individual gifts
for family members and friends. |
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Live Christmas tree and gift wrapping ideas |
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Sustainable Wrapping and Decorating Ideas
· Buy reusable Santa bags or boxes for gifts and avoid use of cellophane. Add Velcro buttons to the Santa bags to
maintain the surprise
· Wrap items together for the same person, rather than individually
· Use tea-towels or clothing to wrap presents and tie with ribbon
· Send electronic greeting cards or even a personal digital picture card instead of buying paper cards
· Keep plastic and paper packaging separate, and recycle the paper in your yellow-lid bin.
· Take your Christmas cards and envelopes to your nearest post office for recycling
· Make your own cards or get the kids to help you. |
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Environmentally Friendly Food and Drink Ideas
· Don’t over buy. Buy just enough food for your family’s feasts
· Try to buy food without excessive packaging, such as loose fruit and vegetables
· Bulk buy things that will last instead of buying lots of small, individually wrapped items, for example, drinks in large bottles rather than in a lot of small ones
· If you’re throwing a party, avoid using disposable items such as paper cups and plates. Use only re-usable utensils
· Buy groceries in packaging that you can recycle – example, cardboard boxes, aluminium steel, glass etc. |
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· Recycle glass, cans and plastic bottles into your yellow-lid bin. You can take the lids off plastic bottles and squash them to fit more in.
· Leftover food can be used as compost! Council will pay a rebate for compost bins and worm farms
· The less cooking the better - and you‘ll use less energy. Think about making up different cold dishes such as seafood, salads and fresh fruit platters. |
Selecting an Environmentally Friendly Christmas Tree
Choose products made from renewable materials and energy wherever possible. A live Christmas tree is a more environmentally friendly option this Christmas than an artificial tree made of un-renewable materials like plastic (see Real vs. artificial Christmas trees for more details). Find somewhere to grow your tree after Christmas and help soak up carbon dioxide (CO2).
· Use easy-to-store decorations so they can be used year after year
· Save energy and avoid using electrical decorations on the tree.
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Other Environmentally Friendly Tips
· Give the time and money you saved by not using excessive Christmas lighting to a charity instead
· Hang out in the shade outdoors rather than using the air conditioner
· Don't throw away cling wrap, aluminium foil or Christmas paper cylinders - save them and drop them off at the local kindergarten or playgroup. The kids love to colour, decorate them and turn them into didgeridoos among many other things!
· Use the most energy efficient Christmas lights
· Find out what can and can't be recycled. |
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Liverpool City Council will continue to collect garbage and recycling on your regular collection day throughout the Festive Season. However, collection times may vary so residents are asked to place their bin and crates out for collection the evening before their regular pickup day.
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Council wishes you and your family a safe, happy and green new year!
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Further information
Gift Vouchers
A gift voucher or a gift certificate is convenient and time saving, and you can often purchase your gift on line. Just Google “gift vouchers” for sites.
| Homemade Gifts
A homemade gift is the most thoughtful present to receive this Festive Season, so why not make your own gifts! It’s more fun and shows the true spirit of Christmas. Just Google “Christmas recipes” or “homemade gifts” for sites.
Some ideas to help you get started:
Ÿ Fill an beautiful basket or tin with homemade goodies like biscuits, cakes or homemade toiletries
Ÿ Make your own soap/candles. |
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Living Plants
Giving a plant as a gift is a great environmentally friendly idea. Talk to your local nursery and try to buy a water-friendly variety that is native to the local area where the recipient lives.
Disposal Options for Batteries?
All types of batteries (including car, mobile phone, torch and toys batteries) can be disposed of at Council’s annual Chemical Clean Out Day. The Department of Environment and Climate Change works in conjunction with councils to provide this service to the community. For dates, times and venues visit the www.environment.nsw.gov.au or contact the Clean Information Hotline 131 555.
Batteries should never be burned as they release dangerous fumes and can cause an explosion.
Battery World at Campbelltown provides a service where you can drop off your used household batteries. Address: 43b Queen Street, Campbelltown NSW
Charity
Local charities in the Liverpool area include:
Ÿ Anglicare
Liverpool - 9 Northumberland Street, 9822 5529
Ÿ Father Chris Riley’s Op Shops
Casula - 632 Hume Highway, 9600 7122
Ÿ Lifeline
Ingleburn - 64a Oxford Street, 9829 3057
Ÿ St Vincent de Paul
Liverpool – Corner Elizabeth Drive and Macquarie Street, 9734 6300
Mount Pritchard – 248 Humphries Road, 9823 1222
Ÿ The Smith Family
Liverpool - 265 George St, 9600 6835
Ÿ Yada Boutique
Mount Pritchard - Hamel Road and Town View Road, 9602 7808
Electronic Christmas Cards/Picture Cards
Save time, money and paper! Search for “Christmas ecard” at Google for ideas.
Energy Efficient Christmas Lights/Fairy Lights
Some decorations are even solar powered! Ask at your lighting store. If you have to have lights remember to:
Ÿ Use energy efficient lights, such as LED lights. LED lights are renowned for being long-lasting, being easy to store and using 90% less energy than standard Christmas lights. For more information visit www.lightsforchristmas.com.au/christmas_led_lights.html
Ÿ Use as few lights as possible when decorating
Ÿ Turn the lights off before you go out or go to sleep
Ÿ Turn lights off during the day.
Real vs Artificial Christmas Trees
Live Potted Trees:
ü Pros
Ÿ Reusable for many years
Ÿ Leaves can be recycled and used as mulch
Ÿ Can be planted near beaches to prevent erosion
Ÿ Used near lakes, streams and ponds to provide hiding spots and feeding areas for fish
Ÿ They help reduce the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere
Ÿ Live trees are typically grown as a crop and replanted in rotation after cutting, often providing suitable habitats for wildlife
Ÿ Live trees look more attractive and have a nice fragrance.
û Cons
Ÿ In some cases, management of Christmas tree crops can result in poor habitat since it involves heavy use of pesticides
Ÿ A fire hazard can be created when the branches become dry and hot from the Christmas lights
Ÿ They have to be maintained and well-kept. This includes watering and removing the dead needles which have fallen under the tree
Ÿ Trees should be cared for as if they were flowers. Plant them carefully in a suitable tub with gravel and rocks. The tree should stand straight and be securely held in place. Check the water level everyday, as they can consume up to 3 litres of water per day. Keep out of sunny positions or breezeways.
Cost: Approximately $15 to $150, depending on pot size.
Artificial Trees:
ü Pros
Ÿ They eliminate the hassle of having to find time to go and specially choose a Christmas tree from the lot
Ÿ They don’t need to be watered and won’t create a mess in your house
Ÿ They can be put up earlier and last longer than real trees
Ÿ Lighter in weight than live trees
Ÿ Polyethylene trees are less toxic, though more expensive, than PVC trees
Ÿ A small amount of real-tree material is used in some artificial trees. For instance, the bark of a real tree can be used to surface an artificial trunk.
û Cons
Ÿ They are made from non-renewable plastics and petroleum-based products e.g. PVC (polyvinyl chloride) a toxic material which is often stabilised with lead
Ÿ Dust or leaves from the tree may be toxic when eaten or inhaled
Ÿ Most need to be thrown out within 9 years, and are usually non-recyclable, ending up in landfill
Ÿ Artificial Trees are not manufactured in Australia. They are made overseas with non biodegradable products, and are imported in Australia, involving a lot of energy for transport.
Cost: Approximately $130 to $140 for a 1.8 metre tree with a sturdy metal base.
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