#plasticfreechristmas
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MEET THE 2024 WINNERS!
Remo Jones, Ruislip
This Christmas Remo brought loads of Dog goodies made from recycled materials from a sustainable market in his neighbourhood, for his pouches and also for pets of his friends and family. His message: we all can gift eco-friendly gifts to everyone we love including our pets. What can be better then having a safe and happy Christmas that spreads love and stops waste.
Jenny Anderson, Woking
This year Jenny gifted her niece and nephew plastic free toys from play press toys. She was delighted that kids can have all the fun with toys that are sustainable, recyclable and biodegradable. These toys will not harm animals and humans once discarded. Over 90% of toys are made from plastic, much of which is non-recyclable or difficult to recycle due to mixed materials, dyes, and embedded electronics. We can change that through choices we make.
University of Birmingham
University of Birmingham challenged its staff and students to have a polymer free Christmas. Starting with Christmas jumpers, Decorations, Gifts, Food packaging, Cutlery and more. And remembering, not everything can go in our recycling bin so we should make sure we check first before we buy!
Sheffield’s Plastic free Christmas Market
Sheffield Plastic action organised Sheffield’s Plastic free Christmas Market in November, that stocks up on plastic free alternatives and plastic free Christmas presents. The Plastic Free Market is what it says on the tin…with no single use plastics given out during the event. The event encourages visitors to bring their own reusable bags, washed reusable containers, and washed reusable cutlery. It’s an excellent event that helps motivate everyone towards a plastic free Sheffield during the festive season.
RedBourn Golf Club
Redbourn Golf Club has been promoting Plastic free Christmas amongst its members and staff.
The club promoted ideas of a big clear out before Christmas, asking families with children, to donate toys and other items that their child has grown out of before the Christmas season giving other families a chance to get a lovely second hand present for a loved one! How gifting an experience can give the opportunity to create a fun lasting memory, whilst also reducing the demand for physical resources. Promoting the use of sustainable, plastic free Christmas crackers from RSPB, Dunelm and Oxfam that have a wide selection of plastic free, recycled crackers to choose from. Buying LEDs for decorations can be the smart choice for the planet and your pocket! LED lights use less energy, last longer and look just as decorative! Buying plug in lights is the better option, but if you need to buy batteries, try getting some rechargeable ones. Shopping locally to support local, independent businesses can be great giving the opportunity to gift something unique!
Auldearn Primary School
Auldearn Primary School organised Plastic free Christmas decorations workshops and competitions to inspire students and staff to go plastic-free using creative methods. The Christmas willow workshop and Bauble making competitions were a running success. These initiatives shows that Christmas decorations can be fun to make using sustainable materials that do not harm the planet and us.
Tattygar Primary School
Through the Christmas jumper swap, students and families swapped gently used Christmas Jumpers, reducing waste and promoting sustainable fashion. In addition to helping the environment, the event was a great success in raising money for a local charity – St Vincent de Paul, with all funds raised going directly to support those in need during the festive season.
