The Mayor of Limerick, Cllr John Gilligan and The Cathaoirleach of Limerick County Council, Cllr John Gallahue got together at Arthur’s Quay Shopping Centre to ask the citizens of Limerick city and county to spare a thought for the environment this Christmas (DG) Picture by Dave Gaynor
That is according to Limerick City and County Councils, who today launched their annual Green Christmas campaign to urge householders to spare a thought for the environment this year while enjoying all the seasonal festivities. Pre-Christmas tips include sending e-cards to cut down on packaging, wrapping presents with recycled paper, turning Christmas lights off overnight and pooling Christmas shopping into fewer bags.
Shoppers are also encouraged to support local and fair trade producers. After Christmas, householders are advised to recycle all packaging, and take empty bottles and tins to one of Limerick’s many bring banks. “We all produce extra waste over Christmas so it is a perfect time to focus that bit more on all that unnecessary waste,” explained Lorraine Power, Environmental Awareness Officer, Limerick County Council. She added, “There are many ways to keep the festive season fun while reducing the negative social, economic and environmental impacts. We are urging people to reduce, reuse, recycle and compost to help us make a difference this Christmas.”
Sinead McDonnell, Environment Awareness Officer with Limerick City Council said that one of the main objectives of this year’s campaign is to encourage householders to recycle more of their used packaging than ever before. She continued, “We will all be busy rushing around doing the shopping and stocking up on food and drink over the next few weeks. By sparing a thought for our planet and taking a little time to plan ahead, we can slim our bins, save time and perhaps a few euro too.”
Top Ten Tips to Reduce Your Waste this Christmas:
1. Make a list and check it twice! Buy only what you need!
2. Cool cards – Send an e card, make your own unique one that won’t be forgotten!
3. Simple, stylish presents - Buy 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. If you’re broke, make a gift of your time!
4. Get Christmas wrapped up - Try alternative wrapping by buying recycled paper or making your own.
5. Do durable - Use reusable plates, cups and bags rather than throw away items. Buy loose vegetables, fruit, meat and cheese.
6. REUSE – 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 things like biscuit tins, boxes and ribbon that you can reuse during the year. Keep your favourite cards to make your funky personalised gift cards next year or to keep the kids busy on those wet winter evenings.
7. Start composting all those fruit and vegetable peelings, reduce your bin by one third! Compost bins available from Councils or local hardware stores.
8. Save your Energy - Invest in LED Christmas lights and battery chargers with rechargeable batteries for all those games. It will save you money in the long run. Recycle any used batteries at your local Recycling Centre or any retail outlet that sells batteries.
9. Get organised in the kitchen! Set up three bins in the kitchen - for recyclables, compostable and general waste.
10. During the party season - Recycle everything you can in your opti-bag or recycling bin - cardboard, gift wrap, greetings cards & envelopes, paper & plastic packaging, drink & food cans, biscuit tins, metal lids, juice cartons, plastic bottles & packaging. Remember to wash n’ squash!
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