• Intro text: A real Christmas tree creates a cosy warm atmosphere and is therefore the symbol of the festive season for many people. Yet there are plenty of other options that are just as attractive as a real Christmas tree.

Buying a real Christmas tree, bringing it into the house and putting it up has been a long-standing tradition for many people. A Christmas tree creates a cosy warm atmosphere and is the symbol of the festive season for many people. Yet there are plenty of other options that are just as attractive as a real Christmas tree.

Traditional Christmas trees usually come from conifers. These trees take many years to grow and are often discarded after only a few weeks of use. Millions of trees are cut down for them every year worldwide, while trees are desperately needed in the fight against climate change. Also, transporting such a tree from the shop or grower to your home causes additional emissions of harmful gases. More sustainable alternatives can help reduce the environmental impact of Christmas trees.

Artificial Christmas tree

Artificial Christmas trees come in different sizes and styles. Pay attention to quality when buying. It is better to pay a little more for a good artificial Christmas tree that will last a long time. It is bad for the environment to have to buy a new tree after only a few years. Moreover, you will probably end up paying more. You buy a good artificial Christmas tree once and use it every year.

Second-hand artificial Christmas tree

It is even better to choose a second-hand artificial tree. Every year, many artificial Christmas trees are handed in at thrift shops in our region. They can usually be viewed and bought from mid-November onwards.

Wooden Christmas tree

More and more people are opting for a wooden Christmas tree. Wood is extremely recyclable. Therefore, wooden Christmas trees are less harmful to the environment than growing and felling traditional Christmas trees. The cost of a wooden Christmas tree may be slightly higher than for a real Christmas tree. But a wooden Christmas tree is reusable and will last for years. Of course, you can also decorate a wooden Christmas tree beautifully and always customise it to your liking.

Christmas tree on the wall

Do you have limited space or want something different? Bring the Christmas spirit into your home with a wall Christmas tree.

• There are special Christmas wall hangings for sale with razor-sharp photos as well as small LED lights. Beautiful, durable and also very atmospheric when the cosy lights are on.
• Or choose a wall sticker in the shape of a Christmas tree that you simply stick on your wall and remove without damage. Ideal in small homes.
• Using branches, cardboard, an LED light garland, fabrics or string, create the shape of a Christmas tree on the wall and decorate it with atmospheric LED lights and ornaments. Or choose a pretty Christmas wreath or other decorations instead of a traditional tree. Just as atmospheric and no tree needs to be cut down for it.
• Are you creative? Then make your own advent calendar by hanging envelopes with some goodies or a nice wish on the wall in the shape of a Christmas tree.

Still prefer a real tree?

Do you still prefer a real Christmas tree at home? Then buy your Christmas tree within a maximum radius of 10 kilometres from your home, so you don't have to drive unnecessary distances. Choose a Christmas tree with a large root ball in a pot and give it plenty of water. Do not let the tree dry out, as this reduces its chances of survival and increases the risk of fire. If you take good care of the tree, you can plant it in your garden after the holidays and use it again next year.

Rent or adopt a Christmas tree

Don't have a garden or no space in your garden? Or would you rather not plant a Christmas tree in your garden after the holidays? In more and more places, you can rent or adopt a Christmas tree. These trees are grown in pots. About 90 per cent of the trees survive the rental period. This extends the life of the trees and reduces their harmful impact on the environment. Rental trees are rented out 3 to 5 times as Christmas trees. After the holidays, you return the tree and the grower replants your tree to take care of it for another year or replants it for life. Would you rather buy a tree without a root ball? There are growers who plant several new trees or adoptable Christmas trees in the forest for every Christmas tree sold without a root ball.

Christmas tree collection Waardlanden

This year too, Waardlanden is providing the collection of traditional Christmas trees. You will soon find more information about this on this website. Do you have a Christmas tree that will not go into your garden or back to the grower? Then always hand it in at an environmental street or at a collection point in your neighbourhood. Christmas trees are not waste and are recycled into compost and green gas. They are also shredded into ground cover in stables.

For more tips, visit waardlanden.nl/tips

• Intro text: Most kitchen cupboards are often full of chemical and pricey cleaning products. Use these eco-friendly recipes to make your home shine.

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• Intro text: Discover smart tips to celebrate Sinterklaas consciously and inexpensively this year. From giving experiences to sustainable wrapping: make Sinterklaas a party full of fun, without unnecessary packaging.

St Nicholas is coming again. A cosy time with presents. Unfortunately, this often also results in a lot of unnecessary packaging. We share some smart tips to celebrate Saint Nicholas more consciously and economically this year. 

Tips for a smart Christmas season

By swapping smartly, reusing and thinking more sustainably, you will not only make Saint Nicholas more economical, but also better for the environment. Join in this year and make conscious choices that you will enjoy for a long time to come.

1. Experiences instead of stuffThis year, give experiences as a gift, such as a fun day out. These are memories children will enjoy for years to come, without any extra stuff in the house. 
2. Make your own presents Still prefer to give something tangible? Handmade gifts are personal and valuable. Think about making something delicious or a creative project. This is not only cheaper, but also much more sustainable. You avoid packaging waste and save on the raw materials needed for new products. In this way, you are helping to create a better environment.
3. Swapping toys instead of buying them Why buy new toys when you can exchange unused toys? Many homes still have perfectly good toys that are no longer being played with. Find a toy swap market near you, and swap for 'new' toys at no extra cost. This way, you will not only surprise the children, but also save money.
4. Second-hand toys  Not only swap markets, but also thrift shops, gift shops and online platforms, such as Marktplaats, offer plenty of choice in second-hand toys. You can often find toys there in excellent condition for a small fraction of the price. It's a win-win situation: less production of new stuff and more space in the wallet.
5. Sustainable packing Wrapping paper often creates a lot of waste. Therefore, opt for more sustainable options such as a reusable wrapping sheet. This way, you can wrap your gifts sustainably time after time - without extra waste. You can also use a nice tea towel or a box that you reuse.
6. Make a wish list  Together with the children, make a list of what they really want. This will prevent premature purchases and allow for more targeted searching, so you spend less money.
7. Buy less, but more consciously This year, choose quality over quantity. Go for a few valuable, durable items that will last for years. 

For more tips, visit waardlanden.nl/tips

• Intro text: Did you know that more than 40% of our residual waste consists of food waste, fruit, vegetable and garden waste? Good news! If you collect that GFT separately, much less residual waste remains. Good for the environment and your wallet. Discover useful tips and make a difference!

Read more: Make a difference: Separate your GFT waste!

• Intro text: Autumn has begun, and that means we spend more time indoors. This is a good time to make your home cosier. Are you thinking about freshening up with paint or wallpaper? Both options have their pros and cons. But which choice is best for the environment and your home?

Autumn has begun, and that means we spend more time indoors. This is a good time to make your home cosier. Are you thinking about freshening up with paint or wallpaper? Both options have their pros and cons. But which choice is best for the environment and your home?

Paint and the environment

Paint is easy and quick to apply. Only, many paints are full of substances that are bad for the environment and your health. Most paint is made from oil and other materials that are not sustainable. This is not good for nature. Fortunately, there are eco-friendly paints, such as water-based or natural paints. These contain fewer harmful substances, are better for the environment and provide healthier air in your home. Keep in mind that even water-based paint often contains microplastics. These are small plastic particles that are harmful to the environment and animals.

Durable wallpaper

Wallpaper is a popular choice because there are many different colours and patterns. Yet not all wallpaper is equally eco-friendly. Some types are made from materials that are not as good for the environment. Fortunately, there are also more sustainable options, such as wallpaper made from recycled paper or natural fibres. This wallpaper often lasts longer and is better for the environment. Non-woven wallpaper is a super eco-friendly choice. It is made of materials that do not harm nature and it lasts for a very long time. Therefore, it is also a sustainable option.

What do you do with leftovers?

Do you have wallpaper or paint left over after doing odd jobs? Don't just throw it away. You can hand in old paint cans free of charge using your environmental card at the collection point for small chemical waste on the environmental street. Throw leftover wallpaper in the rubbish. Wallpaper does not belong in the used paper, because it contains glue and sometimes PVC (a type of harmful plastic) or other plastics. This way, you ensure that waste and raw materials are disposed of properly and help create a cleaner environment.

For more tips, visit waardlanden.nl/tips

• Intro text: For many, reading is the best time to relax. But have you ever considered which option is better for the environment: a paper book or an e-book?

For many, reading is the best time to relax. But have you ever considered which option is better for the environment: a paper book or an e-book?

The benefits of e-books

E-books are more popular than ever. An e-reader can store hundreds of books and takes up less space. Yet producing an e-reader requires a lot of energy and raw materials, which can be harmful to the environment. Fortunately, this offsets if you read at least 25 e-books in 5 years; then the impact is lower than if you bought the same amount of paper books.

Paper books: Still a favourite

Paper books remain the favourite. But their production is not without consequences. Trees are felled, and making paper consumes a lot of energy and causes CO2 emissions. For 120 paper books, this amounts to 153 kilograms of CO2.

Which is more sustainable?

According to experts, an e-reader is more environmentally friendly if you read enough books on it. But if you only read books occasionally, or buy second-hand books, a paper book can be just as sustainable.

In short, both options have advantages and disadvantages. So the next time you pick up a book, consider which is the best choice for you and for the environment.

For more tips, visit waardlanden.nl/tips

• Intro text: Products that you store properly stay good for longer, especially if you store them in the freezer. Avoid waste and find out how to make the best use of your freezer with handy storage tips.

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• Intro text: Wondering how to cook a delicious dish at home waste-free? Our environment coach Nelleke takes you to star restaurant De Gieser Wildeman, where René Tichelaar shows you how to put a delicious dish on the table with an ingredient that most people throw away.

Read more: Learn waste-free cooking with celebrity chef René Tichelaar

• Intro text: What do you do with medicines you no longer need? Never throw medicines in the rubbish or flush them down the toilet or sink. This can have serious consequences for people and the environment. Dispose of them safely and responsibly. 

Read more: Deliver medicines safely to pharmacy or environmental centre

• Intro text: If you store products correctly, they will keep for much longer. Avoid waste and find out how to store products best and keep them fresh for a long time with our storage tips.

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