Stress-free Christmas

9. December 2015 Iris Streit

Tips for stress-free Christmas

Greenpicks – Eco & Upcycling Market does not stand only for a sustainable consumption, but also for a sustainable lifestyle. In our view this includes the minimalistic use of objects and careful use of time. This refers to the composition of the pre-Christmas season and the scrupulous dealing of Christmas presents.

stress-free Christmas: Advent is supposed to be a peaceful time — Advent is supposed to be a peaceful time

In the Advent season Christians prepare for the arrival of Christus. The Advent period was supposed to be a peaceful, cosy and joyful time, regardless of the religious ethos. Especially the winter and the dark season are well suited to shift down a gear, to hold communion with oneself and to pay attention to dear fellows. But the opposite is true: Christmas time is stress.

The hunt for Christmas presents is opened

In the current consumer society, however, the Advent season is preparing for Christmas in such a way that many people go on the hunt for Christmas presents. Furthermore people go on errands such as cheap (and sometimes toxic) Christmas decoration from China, Christmas roast from factory farming, Christmas carp, standardized Christmas cards, Christmas wreath from discounters, candles, Christmas trees from the DIY market and buying groceries on stock. Baking cookies, decorate christmassy the apartment, wrap gifts and send Christmas cards and New Year’s wishes, supplement the pre-Christmas stress. And no later than on 27th December are all glad when it’s all over. And one or the other gift is exchanged or some days later it is already defective.

Free yourself from the festive collective stress

But do we have to take part every year in Christmas consumption binge? Have to? Hardly likely. As responsible citizens, we can decide not to follow the Christmas consumption frenzy and collective stress like every day in our lives. Whoever deliberately consumes over the whole year, can also do at Christmas!

There are many things that cost nothing and yet are ecologically valuable and sustainable. We only need to bother ourselves about it and leave unnoticed the solutions offered to us by advertising. Those who manage to get rid of all the angel like praised needs at Santa Claus and Christmas, can actually enjoy Advent as the quietest time of the year and the Christmas holidays.

The following proposals are less to save money, but in your own interest to bring yourself stress-free Christmas. And to act in terms of sustainability and to think about what could make happy the recipient. Continue reading Stress-free Christmas →

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Plastic-free: Tips for reducing plastic

10. September 2015 Iris Streit

Plastic-free Life

Plastic is everywhere. Food packaging, clothing, storage containers, household appliances – no matter what we use or do – we come into contact with it every day.

For the benefit of our health and the environment, we should reduce our plastic consumption. After all starting materials for plastic are the black gold, ie crude oil, as well as coal and natural gas. Thus, not only valuable resources are wasted. But also the disposal pollutes the environment, as conventional plastic is not biodegradable. As evidenced by the huge vortex of plastic trash in the oceans, it remains for centuries in the environment. A sad consequence of the throwaway society.

Plastic-free Products — Plastic-free products as sustainable alternatives to conventional plastic products

First Steps to less Plastic

In short: There are many good reasons whenever possible to dispense with plastic. To reduce your use of plastic is not difficult. For a “plastic-free life” we have compiled a number of tips here.

1. Before you purchase a new article, always consider, if you really need it. If so, inform yourself about plastic-free alternatives. Continue reading Plastic-free: Tips for reducing plastic →

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The other day in the waste incineration plant

12. November 2014 Annette Husmann

Recently a dream came true for me. I had the opportunity to participate in a guided tour through the waste incineration plant in Cologne. That may seem strange. Sometimes I catch myself when I get stuck on documentary programs about recycling methods in the (rare) zapping through the TV channels. Obviously this topic fascinates me.

The BVMW (Federal Association of Medium-Sized Enterprises) invited to a lecture on the topic of generation Y. Host and the venue was the waste recycling company in Cologne, AVG, which offered additionally a guided tour through their waste incinerator. Since I am also very interested in the topic Generation Y, I could kill two birds with one stone.

waste incineration plant: Waste Recycling Company AVG Cologne — © Waste Recycling Company AVG Cologne

In a small group, we were led by the spokesman of the AVG through the various sections of the waste incineration plant and the procedures were explained in detail. Initially skeptical, because in previous years there was so much negative about this facility (excessive construction costs, lack of capacity), the mood among the participants changed gradually into fascination.

To clarify: It’s just about waste. Not about recycle materials such as paper, plastics, recycled glass or compostable organic waste. Continue reading The other day in the waste incineration plant →

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