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HAVE A
GREENER
CHRISTMAS
You might be dreaming
of a white Christmas, but
by following our eco
advice you can make it
a green one too
BRANCH OUT
Yes, real Christmas trees are still better
than plastic ones but even so, seven
million end up in landfill each year*. Did you
know you can rent a tree? (Check out
londonchristmastreerental.com or
rentalclaus.com.) If you do buy one, buy
local to minimise your carbon footprint,
and recycle it when you’re finished.
LIGHT THE WAY
Need new Christmas lights? Make sure you
go for LED ones. They use up to 80 per
cent less energy than regular bulbs, so will
save you money on your energy bills, and
the reduced energy consumption will cut
your carbon footprint. And don’t chuck
them away when they stop working – take
them to your local recycling centre.
BATTERY POWER
We get through 189 million tonnes of
batteries over the festive period and each
household chucks away on average seven
batteries during this time**. Tesco ofers
recycling points for all types of household
batteries at Express, Metro, Superstore
and Extra stores. Alternatively, take them
to your local recycling centre or arrange
a kerbside collection with your council.
Break free
from the sofa
From burning off your Christmas Day lunch to diffusing
simmering family tensions, there are lots of reasons
to keep active this festive season. Here’s some
inspiration to get you out and about…
Dig out your wellies
Get your skates on
A gentle ramble can ease
everything from digestive
issues*** to low mood† .
Those in the Yorkshire area
can get in on the action
with The Ramblers Festival
Of Winter Walks (ramblers.
org.uk), held over the
Christmas and New Year
period (it’s a great way to
meet people too). If you’re
in London, join the very
festive Charles Dickens
London Walk on Christmas
Day (walks.com).
There’s nothing like pulling
on ice skates to make you
feel festive and up for
some fun, plus it’s a great
way to get the blood
pumping. Ice rinks are
popping up in cities all over
the country once again,
from Edinburgh to
Southampton, Cardif to
York, so get involved.
Follow the lights
Don’t feel restricted by the
short days. RHS properties
all over the country are
illuminating their gardens
at night, so you can enjoy
a spellbinding twilight
wander. Not forgetting Kew
Gardens’ Christmas Light
Trail (kew.org), which also
returns this year.
‘
Go for a dip
The morning of 1 January
is traditionally when
swimmers up and down
the country brave the chilly
seas. For something special,
take part in the National
Trust’s 125th birthday
celebrations and be one of
125 swimmers taking a
plunge in Lake Windermere
on New Year’s Day
(nationaltrust.org.uk/fellfoot/features/new-yearsday-dip-).
Enjoy the
magical
lights on
Kew Gardens’
stunning
Christmas
Light Trail
‘
Source: independent.co.uk/climate-change/news/christmas-trees-recycling-environment-sustainability-plastic-a8705081.html. ** Source: recycle-more.co.uk/blog/recycling-news/----have-yourself-a-very-eco-christmas---Source: axahealth.co.uk/health-information/gut-health/exercises-to-improve-digestion/. †psychologytoday.com/us/blog/minding-the-body/201608/walking-can-lift-your-mood-even-when-you-dont-expect-it
REAL LIVING | WELLBEING
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