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Valuing children’s awe and wonder of the natural world underpins our desire to walk softly on the earth and live in harmony at a local and global level.

Thank you; ngaityu yungantalya, yankanantalya..
to everyone who has supported EESSA Inc in 2017. We have had some great network sessions and workshops across the year and trust this has helped you take a small step towards living more sustainably.
We especially thank those services and individual who continue as members. Without you there would not be an EESSA Inc. 
More events coming in 2018. We especially encourage you to save the date: 14th April 2018

 

Sustainable Christmas
Have a happy festival season without leaving a large environmental footprint
Avoid plastic trees You may plan to re-use them for several years but they will eventually get tossed and they never degrade once they reach landfill.
Real trees have a footprint as well, although this is offset by the carbon soaked up during their time in the ground. The best option is to make your own arrangements with branches or grab a potted Australian native pine like a Wollemi or Cypress that can be used year after year and decorate with home made or recycled ornaments.
Give homemade or pre-loved gifts Make your own gifts, whether this is a potted plant, something you bake or something you make; or choose vintage or pre-loved items from markets, op shops, Etsy or garage sales. There is also a multitude of online stores selling homemade and local products.
Get crafty Cut the paper waste- use material off-cuts, old scarves or vintage hankies for wrapping. Recycle last year’s cards by turning them into gift tags, or cut off the picture side and send as Christmas postcards. E-cards are a great way of saving money and trees, but if you prefer sending them the traditional way, go for cards made from recycled paper or ones that support a charity
Choose only sustainable and ethical store-bought gifts
If you don’t have the skills or the time to get crafty, then give some thought to what you buy, where it came from, who made it and how far it travelled. Shop local and buy Australian-made where possible. Look for certifications, like Fair Trade and cruelty-free such as Good Spender. Check your favourite charity sites for more options such as Give Now. This commission free website lists a large number of charities and options for non-monetary giving. You could also give the gift of an experience or a workshop to learn a new skill. The feeling will last much longer than a throw-away material item.
 Shop locally and buy seasonal produce. This will support local businesses and cut down on unnecessary travel miles. Many of us are guilty of over eating at Christmas, but we also often throw away tons of food. Instead of throwing out your leftovers, freeze them for another day or get creative and turn them into something else. Check out tips from OzHarvest, National Leftovers Day, and this list of 100 ways to use your left overs and scraps.
And when it’s all over?
Unwanted gifts can be  re-gifted or donated or sold online using services like Gumtree, Ziilch, Ozrecyle

 

Help close the loop– buy recycled

Consumer awareness and advocacy can make a difference. This is what will help us move away from a linear economy to a circlular economy. When we refuse non-recyclable or difficult to recycle products and buy products that we know go the full circle we really are making a difference. Close the loop – by purchasing a recycled product, you are keeping the product, or its components and materials, in the loop and out of landfill and groundwater.

Buying recycled items and products made from recycled materials is a great way to save waste to landfill.

How do we do this?

Research the products you purchase, especially those you buy regularly and big $items. Learn more about where they are made, what they are made from and the business commitment to sustainable practices.

 Planet Ark has recently release its Guide for Buying Recycled.  The more we learn the better we will be at knowing what to buy, what to refuse and how to really reduce our waste. 

Did you know?
There is an Australian Garlic Industry Association. They recommend that you never eat imported garlic as all imported garlic is treated with Methyl bromide before being allowed into Australia.
The website has lots on information for garlic lovers including recipes. For details on locating locally grown garlic visit the Australian Garlic Industry Association website.
 

Less stuff more Joy

hello@eessa.org.au

Copyright © 2017 Early Education for Sustainability SA Inc, All rights reserved.


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