Norwex AUS NZ LifeStyle Magazine lifestyle_december_flip | Page 21

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1 Let Mother Nature help you decorate. 5 Ditch the plastic.
2 Send electronic greeting cards and
invitations instead of paper ones. 6 Go for the gold (or silver).
Twigs, berries and branches collected from a local park or
nature trail look pretty in vases and used as centrepieces.
Get creative with pinecones, leaves, acorns and other little
gifts from nature. They’re 100% compostable, free and a
great way to highlight the beauty of the season.
This not only cuts down on the use of paper resources, it
also reduces carbon emissions from the production and
delivery of paper cards and invites. And because they
can be customised, they are also a great outlet for your
creativity!
3 Steer clear of harsh chemicals when
you’re preparing for the party.
Some guests may be particularly sensitive to the toxic
chemicals and “fragrances” in some cleaning agents, air
fresheners and candles. If you do use candles, opt for soy or
beeswax candles over those containing paraffin, which has
been shown to negatively affect indoor air quality.
4 Opt for cloth.
Instead of plastic cups, use glass or crystal jugs and
drinking glasses to serve cold beverages; and use your
ceramic or china coffee cups and mugs for hot drinks. If
plastic bottles or aluminium cans will be a part of your
festivities, be sure to have a recycle bin ready for the
empties.
Did you know that about 40 billion plastic utensils are used
each year in the U.S. alone? Or that plastic cutlery is non-
biodegradable, can leach toxic chemicals when handled
improperly, and is usually discarded after just one use?
All great reasons to bring out the cutlery for your holiday
gatherings!
7 Compost your leftovers or, better yet,
send them home with your guests.
Encourage guests to bring their own reusable containers
for any remaining turkey, pav or christmas pudding. This
also helps remove those tempting additional calories from
your refrigerator! If you do compost, avoid putting meat or
bones in your composting bin so as not to attract unwanted
attention from animals.
Using cloth napkins instead of paper can add a touch of
elegance to your table as well as reduce waste from paper
towels and napkins.
Idea: Get creative and make your own napkins by hemming
squares cut from colourful fabric remnants.
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