Christmas Card News

We took 5 bin liners of Christmas card to our local Tesco and I managed to weigh them on my bathroom scales this year, so the total weight was roughly 50kgs.
Over the last ten years the number of bin liners has usual been more than 5, so I reckon that we have sent almost half a tonne to the Woodland Trust's scheme.
Anyhow, I sent them an email to let them know about our efforts and had the following reply

Thank you very much for collecting all those cards for us! We are extremely grateful to you all for making such a huge effort on our behalf. Please will you pass on our thanks?

Our scheme isn’t all about tree planting. It’s really important to remember that the benefits of taking part in the scheme are two-fold. As well as raising money for trees to be planted - 17,000 trees last year, it also reduces the amount of harmful methane being pumped out into the atmosphere by cards being dumped on landfill. Our cards are recycled and re-used, reducing our impact on the planet.

Secondly, while it might seem that dropping off one card doesn’t make a big difference, we remind people that if everyone recycled just one card, we’d be able to plant 15,000 trees! Over the 12 years the scheme has run, around 144,000 trees have been planted. So what might seem like a small gesture is, actually, hugely important and has a big impact when it’s part of a national effort.

Once again, many, many thanks for your valuable contribution and for supporting our scheme.

With very best wishes

Alison Evershed

Christmas Card Recycling Scheme Administrator
http://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/

I'm looking forward to receiving the certificate!

Energy Saving Week

It's Energy Saving week. Maybe the credit crunch will prompt more energy-saving? Find out more about how to cut your energy bills and save the planet on the Britain Unplugged website.

Reason for optimism?

Today's East Anglian Daily Times reports,

Plastic bags could soon become a thing of the past in Suffolk as councils and businesses work together to eliminate their use.

But is there cause for celebration yet?

The same report goes on...

Aldeburgh - No official campaign to reduce plastic bag usage.

Bury St Edmunds - “We are trying to encourage people to use plastic bags less but we recognise sometimes you just need one.”

Eye - The town council has not yet formally discussed the issue.

Felixstowe - “We are currently looking into schemes before the next town council meeting.”

Hadleigh - No measures currently in place by the town council.

Leiston - Self-regulation is working well.

Southwold - No policy on plastic bags is currently in place.

Sudbury - “... it is really down to the individual to economise and reuse bags.”

Maybe they could try harder?

For more on plastic bags, see the Abolish Plastic Bags website.