With a clear conscience

8 tips for an environmentally friendly Christmas

(Bild: Tatyana - stock.adobe.com)

Around the Christmas holidays, the mountains of garbage grow in Austria. Hundreds of thousands of bins are filled every day during this period - on average at least ten percent more than usual. Whether it's food, packaging or Christmas trees - a lot ends up in the bin after a short time. We have compiled eight valuable tips to help you avoid mountains of waste.

Around Christmas, mountains of waste grow in Austria and resources are wasted, warns the environmental protection organization Greenpeace. The number of parcels sent, and therefore the amount of waste paper, increases, especially during the festive season. 

Klima und Geldbörserl schonen

So lässt sich umweltbewusst Weihnachten feiern:

Save packaging
Millions of parcels will be sent by retailers to private households again this year. Assuming an average parcel height of just 30 centimetres, the stacked parcels would reach around the equator. To avoid packaging waste, it is better to use reusable packaging. 

It takes about as much energy to produce a ton of new paper as it does to produce a ton of steel. The more elaborate and heavier the wrapping paper, the more harmful it is to the environment. This applies to both production and disposal. Coated paper can hardly be recycled and is therefore incinerated together with the residual waste.

The production of a ton of new paper requires about as much energy as the production of a ton of steel.

(Bild: Sonja Birkelbach - stock.adobe.com)

It is more environmentally friendly to wrap gifts using reusable textiles, such as a tea towel, in reusable gift bags or old wrapping paper or newspaper.

Avoid returned parcels
One in twelve people buy their gifts exclusively online, especially at Christmas. But much of this is not used, as a quarter of parcels are returned. The return of a parcel alone causes as many CO2 emissions as the electricity consumption of an Austrian household for an entire day. Anyone choosing material gifts would be well advised to browse second-hand stores, buy refurbished products or look for meaningful gifts in small local stores.

Food waste
On average, 16 percent of residual waste consists of food waste. During the Christmas period, the amount increases by ten percent. This means that at least one additional meal per Austrian ends up in the bin. Shopping lists help to shop consciously. Recipes that require similar ingredients should be cooked.

Give the gift of time
Time is our most valuable asset. For many people, the gift of time is much more valuable than a quickly bought "gift of convenience" that ends up in a drawer or in the bin. This is also better for the environment, as the production and use of consumer goods cause up to 40 percent of the greenhouse gas emissions from households that are harmful to the climate. From workshops or visits to local events to vouchers for small repair jobs, babysitting or help around the house. Satisfaction is guaranteed to increase and the exchange rate will fall.

Recipes should be cooked that require similar ingredients. This can significantly minimize waste.

(Bild: HETIZIA_ChLesjak, stock.adobe.com)

Gifts
Up to 40 percent of climate-damaging greenhouse gas emissions in Austrian households are caused by consumer goods such as clothing, electronics, furniture and toys. Every year, Austrians spend around 400 euros on Christmas presents - many of which are hardly used or are returned after the holidays. However, according to calculations, 1.4 million returned parcels full of new clothing and electronics are destroyed in Austria every year. So give the gift of time - visit a workshop or go on a train trip. Second-hand stores can also be a real treasure trove for gifts.

New goods - in their original packaging and in working order - such as books, electronic items and textiles are collected in boxes at the Amazon Logistics Center in Winsen/Luhe near Hamburg to be scrapped.

(Bild: © Greenpeace)

Christmas tree and decorations
Millions of Christmas trees are put up in Austria every year. An average Christmas tree binds around 16 kilograms of climate-damaging CO2 from the atmosphere over the course of its short life. When they are disposed of - usually incinerated - the CO2 is released again. There are numerous ways to rethink the "Christmas tree" concept, as there are many different ways to create a Christmas atmosphere. Be it through atmospheric wall decorations or by repurposing a houseplant. Christmas decorations are also very easy to make yourself, giving them added personal value.

Christmas cleaning 
Around Christmas, the waste collection centers are also very busy - because many people use the time to clean and clear out their house or apartment. Anyone who discovers a talent for repairing or gives old things a new lease of life can avoid a lot of waste. With the repair bonus, private individuals living in Austria can cover up to 50 percent of repair costs of up to 200 euros.

HERE you can find the Christmas extra from krone.at!

Plan your journeys
Traffic jams, whether on the way to friends, family or on the way to vacation - they cause stress for drivers, but also for the climate. The increasing volume of traffic and winter weather conditions also increase the risk of accidents. Traveling by public transport or car-sharing helps the climate and ensures a stress-free Christmas.