…and more
You can apply green principles to anything in life. Find out more…
christmas, birthdays and parties
q Buy fairtrade gifts from an online eco-store or give something non-material such as a massage voucher or a football or theatre ticket. Or give your time – how about a babysitting or decorating “voucher”.
q Serve organic, locally sourced food.
q Reuse Christmas decorations. Tie presents with ribbon, not sticky tape, so wrapping paper can be reused. Buy charity cards and recycle them – or email an online e-card.
q Use compostable paper plates or real crockery.
q Add some vegetable kebabs and veggie burgers to your barbecue repertoire.
weddings
q Hire your wedding dress or buy it second-hand – it’s probably only been worn once.
q Send email invitations.
q Organise car pooling for guests.
q Serve organic, local food and wine.
q Use biodegradable confetti.
q Have a green wedding list at an online eco-store.
q Honeymoon nearer home – spend the travel savings on extra luxury instead.
flowers
q Buy organic or native flowers, preferably locally grown – cut flowers can use a lot of chemical pesticides and fertilisers.
outdoor activities
q Get walking but choose routes accessible by public transport.
q When fishing, observe species, size and seasonal restrictions.
q Keep motors out of the wild: get your thrills mountain-biking, climbing, surfing, kayaking, etc.
q Join a local bushcare group.
pets
q Feed your dog or cat less meat.
q Buy bulk dried food instead of cans to reduce waste or cook your own pet food.
q Consider a smaller dog or a herbivore pet such as a mouse or guinea pig.
q Put a bell around your cat’s neck, or keep it indoors at night, to stop it killing native wildlife. Have it desexed to help control the cat population.
q Scoop up dog poop.
q Instead of owning a pet join a wildlife rescue scheme.
retirement
q Use your time and experience to help a local green group – it keeps you active and boosts your social life too.
q Keep active and healthy by cycling, walking, organic gardening and joining a bushcare group.
… and finally
q Choose to be buried in a biodegradable coffin as cremation releases toxic chemicals.
q Leave something to a green organisation in your will.
