Last year we did the whole real vs. artificial trees debate to death, and I'm sure it'll soon be raging once again. But I've recently heard about a third option that could throw open the argument once again, or possibly even solve it: it's the idea of renting a Christmas tree.
So far, I'm only aware of one, solitary farm offering such a scheme: Heeley City Farm in Sheffield. The scheme allows you to collect a tree at the beginning of the festive season, then when twelfth night rolls around, instead of planting it in the garden or gifting it to the bin men, you return it to the farm where it'll be well looked after for another year, ready to do its Christmassy service for another family next December.
Related: Grow your own Christmas tree | Hippyshopper guide to Christmas trees | Alternative green Christmas tree
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Whether it's the state of the planet or your wallet that's concerning you more, heating your home with electricity or gas accounts for a hefty amount of fuel usage, and depending on your lifestyle, may well be the largest single contributor to your carbon footprint. So it's no wonder that many are looking to alternative heating strategies for what may be a hard and frugal winter. But just how green are those alternatives, really?
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'I'm sure they only send it abroad' is a common refrain I've heard when talking about council recycling schemes, and it's starting to look like this belief may be true in many cases. Some councils are happy to admit they send waste abroad, while others keeps schtum. But it's definitely going on, which raises the question is it better to recyle abroad than not recycle at all? I found that it's not nearly as straightforward a question as you might think...
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It was reported today that sales of organic food are in decline for the first time in years, and consumers are complaining that many foods sold as 'eco-friendly' - particularly those sold in premium food 'emporiums' like Whole Foods Market - are simply too expensive.
This got me to thinking on how else the current economic climate could affect our shopping habits, and whether we'll see a return to buying cheaper, less healthy and less ethically-produced food. But my hunch is that it need not: there are ways to eat organic all year round without visiting any posh delis: growing your own, for example, or ordering in a veggie box to make a week's worth of nutritious organic meals. And for non-food products, buying green is often a big money saver: greener gadgets invariably result in lower energy use, for example. But are we prepared to put in the effort when you can buy intensively-farmed chickent for a couple of quid? Yay or nay.
Related: Hippyshopper guide to saving money the green way | Supermarkets forced to electronically tag organic chicken
Amid soaring petrol prices, the government has today 'postponed' a green fuel tax that would have added an extra 2p on the cost of every litre.
Some have pointed out that the cost of fuel is already so high that an additional levy would be pointless; those who cannot afford the prices are already being forced to leave their cars behind, so the charges would make little difference from an environmental perspective. Others believe that the government is removing the tax only through credit crunch-fuelled fear of sinking further in the public's estimation.
Related: Top 5 weirdest alternative fuel sources | Fuel efficiency: nice it you can get it | Electric cars given the green light in UK shopping centres
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If the Olympic torch has shed light on anything, it's the case against the Chinese regime that's now shining brightest in many people's minds.
Laying aside for one moment the country's actions in Tibet, there have been concerns raised over its appalling human rights record (including 'starvationa wages' and poor working conditions), jailing of anyone who dares speak out against the regime and animal rights violations to name but a few objections.
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No, those aren't particularly girly-looking ties, but washable sanitary towels from Rachael Hertogs' online store, with everything a new-age woman could possibly want on hand for her 'moon time'.
Laugh all you like at the bunnies, moons and stars (you can buy a plain set too, but where's the fun in that?) but there's a serious message here, too; the average woman uses around 17,000 items of sanitary protection in her lifetime, which is an awful lot of stuff filling our landfill or being flushed into our sewerage system or even out on to our beautiful beaches. By re-using your pads you'll be making a pretty major contribution towards lessening this impact. So, ladies; what do you say to using the same set of towels for, oh, at least the next solstace? [Via Little Green Blog]
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