Tis the season for ....

Landfill

Oh I know, your thinking "here she is again, all up in my face about rubbish, bla bla bla"

Well yes, I am actually!

It's not just you, It's me. How many of us got our growing kids a new bike and will leave last years bike out for hard rubbish?

I did, numerous times. Not this year though because this year I am cleaning his old bike up and giving it away.

What about Christmas paper? Are you still using it? Shame on you.

Trees just like this were used to make that paper. Not this one in particular, but many like it. Oh I know, you have convinced yourself that your paper was made from an ugly tree no one liked that a man planted just for making paper and it was probably a horrible tree anyhow. But was it? I mean, really?
What are the alternatives? Fabric or 100% recycled paper. Reuse last years gift bags. Some of them are awesome and will last for years and years. Wrap items creatively in towels etc. You guys probably know a million ways to wrap paper free. Share with us your ideas please.

What about those plastic toys that last for a week before the cheap brittle plastic snaps. I saw so many Grandparents and parents at the cheap $2 shops buying these types of toys for thier kinds/grandkids. All they did was leave the kids with landfill long after the grandparents are gone.
How do I know this? Because I was there too buying stocking fillers and for the first time ever I said NO. There will be no plastic crap in my kids stockings this year. It was very successful and the stocking still bulged and this tradition will now continue. FOREVER

In light of all of this I have done a bit of googling and found some alternatives to landfill for the impending waste that will be a result from unwanted, outgrown or broken presents.


e- Cycled - a place to list unwanted furniture, books, appliances and what-nots.

The Big Aussie Swap   Planet Ark. Check this out and the rest of Planet Arks website for brilliant suggestions


Secondhand Shopping and swaps     - a collection of sites

What about mobile phones? Most mobile shops have a bin to put you old phone in. I know crazy Johns does.

And then there is good old do it yourself. For less than a buck post your unwanteds on eBay or the Trading Post.

Put a sign in your local Milk bars window or Supermarket noticeboard. Coles, IGA and Safeway still have the good old fashioned noticeboards.

For computer stuff try E-waste 1800 392 783                     

Our earth and it's inhabitants will be eternally grateful if we were to ponder our actions of this years purchases and change some of our habits because at this time of year the volume of waste to enter our rubbish dumps is staggeringly high.

Lets all be responsible and accountable and change that. Please?

Wishing you much peace during this time of celebration.

Cheers

Melanie