EcoWaste Coalition: Give eco-friendly gifts

MANILA, Philippines - A local waste and pollution watchdog yesterday urged the public to give out “green gifts” to help preserve the environment and spend less this holiday season.

EcoWaste Coalition said with the global economic crisis, the best eco-friendly alternatives to expensive gifts abound in the market.

“Every Christmas, a lot of us dig deep into our coffers to give our loved ones, especially children, gifts to warm the heart or fill the belly,” said EcoWaste president Manny Calonzo.

“But how do we avoid creating more holiday trash? How do we make sure we are not unwittingly poisoning the children? How do we tackle crass consumerism so that the real reason for the season is not drowned out by the festive celebration?” he said.

EcoWaste gave tips to “giving green” this season.

It said people could collect unused gifts, old clothes, toys, books and other materials and donate them to charitable institutions; personalize their gifts such as greeting cards, specialty dish, plants, scrapbooks, or a CD music selection; and volunteer to projects and services for the community and environment, among others.

EcoWaste also suggests people to give old items a new look to prevent waste generation and allow room for personal creativity; give products and delicacies from the province like fruits, vegetables, sweets, condiments, decorative and functional crafts, etc.; give environment-friendly gifts made of recycled materials or products or services that advocate sustainable living; and choose gifts that do not need to be wrapped such as massage from blind masseurs, gift checks, concert tickets, raffle tickets etc.

But if one needs to wrap the gift, EcoWaste urged the public to use old magazines or newspapers, old bandannas, or craft paper that can be jazzed up with colored pencils. – Katherine Adraneda