by Carla Caruso

Being environmentally conscious and keeping up good habits is just as important over the holidays.

It’s eye-opening to learn that the amount of waste a household produces during the Christmas-New Year period can double.

To ensure you don’t let things slide this end-of-year break, Clean Up Australia has some tips on how to stay eco-friendly. A few are listed below.

Do you need a NEW outfit for that Christmas party? And another for New Year’s Eve? Why not buy preloved or rent an amazing outfit for that special occasion?

The most environmentally friendly Christmas tree is one with roots, which lives in a pot in your garden and can be brought in again next year. Fresh trees are an eco-friendlier choice to plastic trees, particularly if they’re composted at the end of their lives. But if you already have a plastic tree, keep using it! Don’t throw it out to buy a real one.
One big issue that’s often forgotten about over the holidays is food waste, which not only hurts your wallet, but also the environment. The best thing is to plan ahead and think about who you’re cooking for and what they will be eating, write a shopping list, store food correctly and then re-use leftovers. If you haven’t got a compost, it’s the perfect time to start one up.
Research shows experiential gifts contribute more to happiness than material items. So, let’s give stocking stuffers, cheap novelty trinkets and gag gifts the flick and instead buy tickets to the theatre, a gig, the movies or a sports game – the options are endless.
Get creative with your wrapping. Steer clear of anything shiny or foil-backed or decorated with glitter, which can’t be recycled. Could you wrap presents in a scarf or tea towel and make that part of the gift? Or use old newspapers, magazines, or reuse wrapping paper and gift bags you already have?

Meanwhile, Action for Happiness has shared a December ‘kindness’ calendar (above), encouraging people to carry out small acts of kindness throughout the festive month.

Founded in 2010, Action for Happiness is a global movement and charity based in the UK. It aims to increase happiness in the world by bringing people together and supporting them to take practical action to build a happier society. Its patron is the Dalai Lama.

Here are a few ‘actions’ to take from its Do Good December calendar:

Support a charity, cause, or campaign you really care about. (You can donate to us here!)
Give a gift to someone who is homeless or feeling lonely.
Buy an extra item and donate it to a local food bank.
Choose to give or receive the gift of forgiveness.
Get outside. Pick up litter or do something kind for nature. (Ed’s note: Our next Clean Up event is at the wetlands at Victoria Park / Pakapakanthi on Sunday, March 5, 2023. Or adopt a Park spot to keep clean regularly.)
Be kind to the planet. Eat less meat and use less energy. (Ed’s note: Even eating meat only once a week helps.)

*APA President Shane Sody and Trish Russell helped out at our last ‘Clean Up a Park’ event in Denise Norton Park / Pardipardinyalla (****Park 2****) in October.* ***The next one’s*** *at the Pakapakanthi wetlands in March.*

While we’re on the topic of kind acts, here are 10 things you can do to protect your Adelaide Park Lands for future generations. Gifts from the APA Shop also support our fundraising.

Enjoy the holidays!

PS. Further on the Christmassy theme, we have a guided walk through Park 11, including Mistletoe Park (see what we did there?) and Adelaide Botanic Garden, on Sunday, February 26, 2023.