Green Limerick: Top tips for a holly, jolly, green Christmas this year

AHEAD of the one of the biggest, most wonderful dinners of the year, many Limerick households will be wondering how to reduce their carbon footprint this Christmas.

In the spirit of sustainability, Limerick City and County Council has compiled its top tips ensure your Christmas is as eco-friendly as possible.

Christmas tree
If you get an artificial tree then you don’t have to vacuum up pine needles, but you would need to keep using it for around ten plus years for it to have a lower carbon footprint than a real tree. If you get a real tree then make sure to dispose of it properly, by chipping it yourself or bringing it to a Limerick recycling centre for chipping.

Think temperature
The weather outside can be frightful, but Christmas brings a warm glow.
If the oven is on and there are a number of people gathering in the same rooms then your home will be warmer than usual. Turn down the thermostat a degree or two, which will save money on heating and cut carbon. Make sure to draw the curtains as the dark December days draw in to help keep in the warmth.

Mind your plate
Plans for Christmas Day are built around a festive feast. Think about how many people are coming and how much they will eat. Allow people to serve themselves and if there is anything leftover make an awesome turkey and stuffing sandwich on St Stephen’s Day.

Rethink your commute
Visiting family and friends is an important part of the festive season. If it is a short distance then think about wrapping up warm for a bracing walk or a gentle stroll instead of using your car.

Rethink, reuse, recycle
Buying presents is challenging. Receiving a thoughtful gift is a wonderful experience but it can be a rarity.
Put thought into giving gifts that are going to be appreciated to avoid unnecessary waste.

Make a list and check it twice! Buy what you need. This may mean opting for an eco-gift, voucher or charity gift to avoid unwanted gifts that will only end up as clutter. Shop local and/or look out for fair-trade gifts.

Try alternative wrapping by buying recycled paper or making your own. Use reusable plates, cups and bags rather than throw away items. Buy loose vegetables, fruit, meat and cheese.

Give another life to all those nice gift bags and boxes you received during the year and make your gifts look even more impressive! Set up a reuse box. Keep your favourite cards to make your funky personalised gift cards next year or to keep the kids busy on those wet winter evenings.

Think about your waste bins
Use your Brown Bin for plate scrapings and/or compost fruit and vegetable peelings. Visit stopfoodwaste for tips on preventing Christmas food waste.

Invest in LED Christmas lights and battery chargers with rechargeable batteries for all those games and don't forget to recycle used batteries.

Find out additional items that can be recycled on limerickrecyclingcentres.ie.

Segregate your waste and if you can’t reuse it then recycle cardboard, gift wrap, greetings cards, envelopes, paper and plastic packaging, drink and food cans, biscuit tins, metal lids, juice cartons, plastic bottles and packaging.

Remember to wash n’squash!