Campaign urges residents to shop responsibly this Christmas

Edinburgh City Council has launched a new multi-media campaign to encourage residents to avoid waste, choose local suppliers and ask for pre-loved or homemade gifts this Christmas. 

Residents will also be encouraged to use the Edinburgh Reuse Map, developed in partnership with Changeworks, to discover where items can be sourced second-hand or for free, fixed, donated or even upcycled. 

The council is encouraging residents to buy more responsibly by asking these five questions: 

• How sustainable is this? What’s it made of? What’s the energy efficiency rating? 
• Can I find this second hand? 
• How long will it be used for? 
• Who made it? Can the brand you’re buying from a guarantee that everyone in the supply chain was paid fairly? 
• Do I really need it?

Cllr Adam Mcvey said: ‘The Green Christmas campaign aims to build on the momentum and interest in the climate crisis from COP26 coming to Scotland, to encourage even more people across the city to take climate action and help deliver a cleaner, greener capital.

‘The vast majority of people in Edinburgh agree that we need to cut down on waste over Christmas.

‘And from choosing gifts with recyclable or minimal packaging, avoiding items that can’t be recycled – such as glittery cards or shiny wrapping paper, to supporting local shops and choosing local food to cut down on air miles – there are lots of ways we can all be greener in the run-up to holidays to be more sustainable and look after our beautiful city and precious planet.’