This Christmas, it's the tote that counts
You know it’s Christmas when the days are shorter and the nights are longer, when the line at the wrapping counter is longer and people’s tempers are shorter. But before you head out the door to do your Christmas shopping, you better watch out and read this. Next time you do your grocery shopping, remember that it’s the tote that counts. Don’t forget your bayong or recyclable bag. The Anya Hindmarch canvas tote that says “I am not a plastic bag” is so chic even the bag snob will not think twice about snapping up one. But of course, you don’t have to be marching down the streets toting a Hindmarch because a lot of our supermarkets have their own green eco bags, like the Rustan’s Supercenters’ chain of supermarkets that includes Rustan’s Fresh and Shopwise, and SM Supermarkets. You even double the points you earn (that reward you with gift certificates) when you shop with your eco bag. How very toteful!
And now, as we prepare for Christmas — undoubtedly the “givingest” season of all — EcoWaste Coalition, a waste and pollution watchdog, pleads for eco-friendly packaging to minimize garbage from the yuletide tradition of gift-giving.
To begin with, EcoWaste exhorts local government units and other institutions planning to reach out to the poor to break the “plastic habit” and opt for packaging materials that will not add to the voluminous trash in the holiday rush.
“All of us bore witness to the havoc caused by the indiscriminate use and disposal of plastic bags in the frequent flooding incidents that hit our country in 2009,” says Ofelia Panganiban, Steering Committee member of the EcoWaste Coalition.
“It’s high time we broke the plastic habit and reduce the demand for single-use bags,” enjoins Panganiban, a veteran zero waste advocate.
She points out, “Government agencies and charitable institutions can lead the way by packing their Christmas offerings for the poor in bags or containers that can be used over and over again. As a gift to Mother Earth, let us patronize reusable substitutes to plastic bags.”
Instead of disposable bags, EcoWaste suggests we use (and reuse) bayong and baskets woven from native plant materials, tote bags made of cheesecloth, bags made from recycled materials such as juice packs and fabric scraps, and buckets or pails for the customary (or requisite) gift-giving during the season.
You’re actually sending out a clear environmental message when you give gifts in reusable bags or containers — and even perhaps positively influencing the recipient’s behavior, according to EcoWaste.
A top tip : Try not to put too much tape when you’re wrapping your gifts so their recipients can still recycle them for gifts they giving to other people. I have some friends who don’t even write on the free store cards attached to their gifts and use their own cards so the former can be recycled, too.
Panganiban observes, “These simple acts could lead to a culture of change in favor of the bayong and other eco-friendly alternatives that can yield significant ecological, climate, economic, cultural and aesthetic benefits.”
And since Christmas treats are always the most given-away gifts, EcoWaste Coalition has come up with a list of healthy and nutritious media noche and noche buena that everyone can enjoy without guilt.
Here’s what’s cooking for Christmas: malagkit (sticky rice) and brown sugar for biko (sweet rice pudding), tablea (pure cocoa blocks) for hot chocolate drinks, queso de bola (Edam cheese) or other palaman sa tinapay (sandwich spread), pancit bihon (rice noodles), sotanghon (glass noodles), macaroni or spaghetti with matching ingredients and condiments for the main course.
And last but not the least, EcoWaste appeals to politicians to refrain from advertising their names, faces or tag lines on gift bags or containers to avoid allegations of early campaigning for the 2010 polls. Besides, it becomes an ethical issue, especially if the gifts were bought using public funds.
To wrap it up, have yourself a merry, eco-friendly Christmas!
* * *
Let there be eco-friendly light
These days, especially after the recent typhoons that affected a lot of people, some more than the others, everybody’s talking about climate change. Now, here’s a bright idea: Did you know that you can do your bit in helping save the environment through your home’s lighting fixtures? Yes, you can help protect the environment and save energy by using eco-friendly lamps and light fixtures in your household.
With a growing number of people waking up and warming up to the importance of living green, eco-friendly lights, commonly known as compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs), are becoming a popular alternative to incandescent lights. CFL is a type of fluorescent lamp that gives off light similar to common incandescent bulbs but with reduced energy consumption and longer life, making it economical and practical to use at the same time.
The bright news is Filipino families can now enjoy the benefits of eco-friendly lights as Firefly Electric & Lighting Corp. (FELCO) has made available Firefly CFLs on the local market. Firefly CFLs provide a greener lighting experience for table lamps, downlight fixtures, ceiling fixtures, and garden fixtures.
Says Jhie Greenwood, Felco marketing manager, “Firefly CFLs are economical, energy-saving, and eco-friendly. Firefly Electric & Lighting Corp. is pleased to provide Filipinos with an alternative lighting that can help Filipino families enjoy the benefits of green living.”
Just how economical is this eco-friendly light? A 15-watt Firefly CFL used in place of a 60-watt regular incandescent bulb saves about 82 kWh over a period of one year. This means reduced electricity bills and increased personal savings for Filipino families, notes Greenwood.
What’s more, Firefly CFLs lasts up to five times longer than regular incandescent bulbs and uses about one-fourth the energy, producing 80-percent less heat while producing more light per watt. Read: A 15-watt CFL has the same illumination as that of a 60-watt regular incandescent bulb.
To help Filipino families enjoy an eco-friendly Christmas this year, Felco gave away free Firefly CFLs in exchange for used or busted incandescent bulbs of any brand through its Palit Firefly CFL program. The first wave of the program was held last month at SM Fairview and SM Mandaluyong Hypermarkets, where over 1,000 CFLs were given away. The second wave of the Palit FCFL will be held on Saturday, November 28 at the San Miguel By the Bay in SM Mall of Asia from 3 to 6:30 p.m.
To further inspire an eco-friendly Christmas — and put a sparkle in everyone’s eyes — a humongous Firefly Christmas tree will be lighted on the evening of November 28 at San Miguel by the Bay, SM Mall of Asia. Firefly eco-friendly lights will dress up the giant Christmas tree at SM Mall of Asia, which will light up every night this holiday season for a truly glowing Christmas treat for the whole family.
Greenwood stresses, “With the advent of climate change and the recent typhoon tragedies, we want to inspire Filipinos to have an economical and environment-friendly Christmas this year by switching to CFLs. By using Firefly CFLs, high-energy holiday lighting and getting into the Christmas spirit will no longer be an issue.”
Expect the Firefly CFLs to be flying off the shelves. Oh, yes, they’re available in three color temperatures: Warm White (highlights the orange and red hues), Daylight (mimics natural lighting), and Cool Daylight (highlights the blue and green hues).
Firefly Lighting products are distributed in more than 5,000 hardware and electrical stores all over the Philippines, including modern retail chain stores like Ace Hardware, Hardware Workshop, SM Hypermarket, CitiHardware, Wilcon Builders, Handyman, True Value and Federal Hardware to name a few.
For more information on Firefly lighting products, visit www.fireflyelectric.com; e-mail info@fireflyelectric.com or call (02) 242-2060 to 65; fax (02) 2422060 loc 707.
Any bright Christmas ideas you care to share?
* * *
We’d love to hear from you. E-mail us at ching_alano@yahoo.com.
