15/12/2014
Christmas for many around the world is a time of plenty: stomachs full to bursting and gifts spilling out from beneath the tree as we indulge those we love.
But in the days that follow, who hasn't felt a slight twinge of guilt at the food we scrape into the bin or the old gadgets that are now going to gather dust in the cupboard or end up on the scrapheap?
Don't worry, though, for there are plenty of things you can do to dispel these nagging worries post-Christmas and in the process contribute to solving some of our most pressing environmental issues, as well as save yourself some money in the process.
• Shop Smart: Plan meals, use shopping lists, buy from bulk bins, avoid impulse buys and don't succumb to marketing tricks that lead you to buy more food than you need. Following these strategies might mean you don't buy that giant turkey, and thus avoid the horror of desperately eating turkey sandwiches for the next week to try and use up the last scraps.
• Buy Funny Fruit: Many fruits and vegetables are thrown out because their size, shape, or colour is deemed not "right". Buying these perfectly good fruit, at the farmer's market or elsewhere, utilizes food that might otherwise go to waste.
• Understand Expiry Dates: Unlike "Sell-by" and "use-by" dates, "Best-before" dates are generally manufacturer suggestions for peak quality. Most foods can be safely consumed well after these dates, so some of the stocks in your fridge may well be good far beyond Christmas.
• Zero Down Your Fridge: Websites such as WRAP's www.lovefoodhatewaste.com can help consumers get creative with recipes to use up anything that might go bad soon, so all those Christmas leftovers can be transformed into something tasty.
• Other actions include: freezing food; requesting smaller portions at restaurants; eating leftovers - whether home-cooked, from restaurants or takeaway; composting food; and donating spare food to local food banks, soup kitchens, pantries, and shelters.
E-Waste
• While everybody loves a new gadget, perhaps you can consider whether you really need to replace old electronics if they are still operational. After all, it's cool to be retro.
• Repair or upgrade rather than replace. Often we throw out malfunctioning or outdated electronics when local repair shops can fix them for us.
• Donate or sell old electronics that are still in working condition. Now that you have your new laptop or phone, you can still cash in on the old devices and claw back some of that Christmas spend. Equally, there are bound to be plenty of charities and schools in your area that would be glad to have your old gadgets?which for others could become their first. You can also explore takeback schemes, which see many major manufactures of electronic goods offering trade-in or recycling options on old goods.
Think.Eat.Save. hopes that you find these tips useful and wishes you a Happy Holiday Season and a Healthy New Year!
