We all love a beautiful Christmas wreath, and the way it gives a warm seasonal welcome at this time of year. In fact, Christmas probably just wouldn’t be Christmas without one cheering up the front door.
But we could all do that little bit more for the environment by thinking about what to do with Christmas wreaths when January rolls round and the festive fun is over for another year.
However, ‘green’ concerns needn’t stop you from buying a wreath. You may not have realised, but, like Christmas trees, real Christmas wreaths can be recycled into standard woodchip fuel, which in turn will be used to create energy for modern woodchip fuelled heating systems.
Woodchip fuel is a clean, renewable energy resource which, unlike fossil fuel, is an infinite source of energy produced from trees which are considered carbon neutral, meaning they absorb as much CO2 in their lifetime as they release in the burning process. Using woodchips as a source of fuel, therefore, limits the effects of climate change.
Equally, you could save the pine needles to create a lovely aromatic potpourri. While you are looking online to buy your Christmas wreath, you can find out how to do this, along with details of where and how to recycle it afterwards.
Of course, another alternative is to buy a Christmas wreath which has been made from recycled materials in the first place.
For example, one web site is offering Christmas wreaths made from recycled materials by a small co-operative in Africa.
The wreaths are made very carefully by hand out of waste tin. Up close, you can see the timely work and care which has gone into making each wreath.
The cost of the wreath, which looks striking on any door, goes directly to the co-operative which helps local families and artisans. And what better time of year to be contributing to something so worthwhile?
Other ideas include buying a wreath made of old CDs or gift tags. There’s a wide selection online – all you need to do is log on and have a good browse.
Or for something really glamorous, you could go for a Christmas wreath made of gold baubles, which is sustainable in that it will give you pleasure over several years.
So, while a white Christmas may be wishful thinking, in the UK at least, there’ s plenty you can do to make it a green one.
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