With Christmas upon us, we should spare a thought for the environment and try to make Christmas as environmentally friendly as possible. This does not mean that we cannot enjoy Christmas, rather it means we make small changes to reduce any possible negative environmental effects our enjoyment of Christmas may have.
Christmas is a short period in the year when our lifestyles put more strain on the environment than usual. Many aspects of our environment may be affected negatively from increased waste creation, increased energy usage, increased water usage, and increased littering. Goods are bought which leads to increased packaging, more people moving about leads to increased energy usage, and nights out can lead to increased littering.
We should think about this and make some effort to reduce our effect. There are many simple ways we can reduce our effect on the environment without reducing our enjoyment of Christmas and many of them will also help to reduce costs at Christmas.
Green tips for shopping
Use reusable shopping bags.
Minimise visits to shops by making a list — this will save energy also.
Remember shops re-open again on St Stephen’s Day — only buy what you need to prevent waste.
Buy goods with the least packaging.
Buy durable electrical goods with the highest energy rating possible.
Buy loose fruits and vegetables.
Do not buy pre-packed meats.
Buy energy efficient and durable Christmas lights and decorations.
Buy rechargeable batteries — they will save you money.
Green tips for presents
Don’t forget wrapping paper goes into a bin, even if it is a recycling bin. Use reusable gift bags instead.
Consider vouchers for goods or services instead of presents.
Don’t use gift cards — write directly on the present.
Christmas parties
Don’t use disposable cutlery or accessories — they all end up in landfill.
After the party bring all your glass bottles, jars, and beverage cans to your local bring bank and recycle them for free.
Watch your litter
It is easy to get careless about litter at Christmas.
When using the bring banks don’t leave any boxes or bags behind. These are considered as litter — you may be fined or the banks may be removed if it continues to be a problem.
Smokers — use the bins provided in smoking areas.
Late night diners — use the bins to dispose of litter.
Meeting up and chatting with friends — be careful with your litter and bring your litter to a bin.
Don’t keep your vehicle clean by throwing everything out the window.
Green tips for the Christmas
Think about how you can reduce your effect on the environment.
Recycle your natural Christmas tree.
Use your nearest bring bank and recycling centre regularly.
Eliminate as much waste as possible.
Recycle as much of your waste as possible.
Don’t burn waste.
If you don’t do it already, get composting — 30 per cent of household and most garden waste can be composted. It can only save you money!
Conserve energy and water where possible.
Buy a lunch box and bring your own lunch to work — it will cut out food waste at home, cut down on packaging waste, be healthier, and it will be cheaper!
Don’t litter.
You may be doing many of these tips already and others may be easy to implement. Implementing them will not take away any of the fun and enjoyment of Christmas, but may reduce costs and contribute to a better environment.
Galway City Recycling Centre Christmas opening hours
Galway City Council operates a recycling centre in the Liosbán Industrial Estate (access via city council depot entrance ).
Householders can bring the following items to the recycling centre:
Glass — jars and bottles ONLY
Clothes — clean
Cooking oil
Engine oil
Batteries — car and household
Light bulbs — fluorescent tubes and CFL bulbs ONLY
WEEE — domestic/household waste electronic and electrical equipment
Large hard plastics — toys, basins, buckets, garden furniture, etc
Waste metals — bicycles, buggies, toys, and small items
Timber — small items.
Over the Christmas period Galway City Recycling Centre, Liosbán, will have slightly different opening hours as follows:
Closed to the public on Christmas Eve, December 24.
Closed on Christmas Day and St Stephen’s Day,
Open again on Saturday December 27, 9am-1pm.
Standard hours, 2pm-4pm Monday to Wednesday December 29 to 31.
Open to registered WEEE retailers 8am-11am Monday to Wednesday December 29 to 31.
Closed New Year’s Day, Thursday January 1.
Standard hours after January 1 2009, ie, public 2pm-4pm Monday to Friday, 9am-1pm Saturday; and registered WEEE retailers 8am-11am Monday to Friday.
This is a tremendous facility available free of charge to the public. If you segregate your waste into the waste streams indicated above we will take those items listed.
For further information phone (091 ) 536595.
