Thermeco Loves Being 'Green' this Christmas

Most people would agree that Christmas is 'the most joyful time of the year' but with metres of knotted christmas lights, endless rolls of fancy gift wrapping and very large to very small plastic decorations, it can also be the most wasteful (and stressful)!

Did you know?

- One of the biggest sources of waste each Christmas is wrapping paper, with more than 8,000 tonnes being used each year – the equivalent of approximately 50,000 trees.
- Australian households and businesses are throwing away an estimated 4 million tonnes of food every year. That’s enough to fill 450,000 garbage trucks with wasted food.
- Australians spend around $400 million each year on batteries – that’s about $50 per household! This also equates to an annual waste of over 8,000 tonnes of used batteries, which are the most common form of hazardous waste disposed of by Australian households.

So here are a few tips on how YOU can make a difference this Christmas. Every little bit counts.

Energy-efficient LED Lighting:
If your strands of lights are older than 10 years it will be more efficient to replace them with newer, LED bulbs. They can also save you up to 90% or more on power costs and will last longer than traditional bulbs.

Decorate With Nature:
Avoid plastic decorations and opt for wood, or organic cotton. Bring in elements from the outdoors to incorporate into your home, such as a wreath of pine boughs or an abandoned nest to place a candle within.

Sustainable Wrapping Paper:
Ditch the rolls of wrapping paper and avoid glossy or metallic gift wrap. Instead, consider fabric or recyclable wrapping or a re-usable gift box.  Use the greeting cards received last year or any other recycled material to make gift tags.

Think Fairtrade & Local
This applies to pretty much everything from your tree to your turkey or your presents. By buying locally you are reducing emissions as a result of increased road and air freight and also supporting local businesses. Check out the Australian Farmers Market Guide to find your local food market and don’t forget the green bag! http://www.farmersmarkets.org.au/

Don’t Waste Food:
Christmas is one of the worst times for this as we stock up for the holidays and then open the fridge on Boxing Day to find it still full, which not only impacts on your pocket but also on the environment. Don’t go crazy! Think about what you’ll actually need and how many people you’ll be feeding. Create a food plan and consider how you can use left overs for meals the next day.

Utilize Timers:
All your Christmas lights should be on timers, from the strands adorning your trees to the lights outside. Don't count on remembering to turn them off after a long day and plug the lights into a timer that remembers for you. Light timers can be found at any hardware store.

Source a wooden Eco-Friendly tree:
They make great for decoration and will last you a long time. You can decorate the tree with natural branches, leaves or wooden decorations. It is minimal and simple for any style of home. You can purchase one here!

Ornaments:
Choose durable and meaningful ornaments. Wood, metal, or cloth will all last longer than plastic or thin glass. Picking an ornament that symbolizes an important event from the year will mean it is kept and treasured for a lifetime.