EcoCity team campaigning for a “green” Christmas
22/11/06
Aberdeen’s EcoCity team will be spreading the “green” Christmas message this weekend.
The team will set up their own marquee at the Aberdeen International Market on Saturday [Nov 25] on St Nicholas Street to encourage shoppers to be waste-aware during the festive period.
The marquee will also be used to publicise the services offered by the SCARF energy-advice group and to raise awareness of Aberdeen City Council’s work on monitoring air quality.
The Waste Aware Team will be on hand throughout the day to urge people to buy recycled products, send E-cards instead of paper cards and avoid heavily packaged products.
Shoppers will also be encouraged to buy presents like gym sessions or golf lessons which need no wrapping paper, to make their own decorations, and to use re-usable bags for shopping.
If citizens fail to cut their Christmas waste, Aberdonians could end up throwing away 3.4 million Christmas cards, 69 acres of wrapping paper, 2.5 million glass bottles and jars, 1.6 million cans and 530 tonnes of food waste.
SCARF officers will be present all day to urge people to cut their fuel bills by saving energy through insulation and other cost-saving measures.
Visitors to their stand will be asked to sign a pledge card to reduce their home energy use by 20% – and in return will receive two free low-energy light bulbs.
For more information on how you can reduce, re-use and recycle more this festive season, log onto www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/wasteawarexmas, email wasteaware@aberdeencity.gov.uk or phone Environmental services on 0845 608 0919.
