Let Christmas not be peak waste season in Hong Kong

The article “A Christmas gift of thrift” (December 6) struck a chord with me as it highlighted Hongkongers’ wasteful habits. Each of us send an average of 1.53kg of municipal solid waste to the landfills every day. The alarming amount of waste is ultimately related to consumerism; Hongkongers purchase tonnes of over-packaged products, especially during the festive season. Yet, if we simply buy things, without being thoughtful about the needs and preferences of the recipients of our gifts, we can expect them to end up in landfills.

Christmas decorations, which are often made of plastic, are also a source of waste, especially when we dump them every year since we can always buy more next year cheaply. How much of the food at Christmas buffets goes to waste? Christmas has now become peak waste season.

Could we instead consider the spiritual importance of Christmas? We seem to have forgotten that we are supposed to be celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ. If we must have decorations, we could make them ourselves as the families in the article do. This would be more interesting and meaningful, while protecting our city.

The article also suggested that we buy quality long-lasting products, instead of poorly made cheap ones. Could we gift film tickets or home-made food?

NGOs could also lend a helping hand this Christmas. Organisations that hold charity sales could set up a campaign to collect unwanted Christmas gifts and materials for sale, which would also serve to raise people’s awareness about Christmas waste. Vegetarian restaurants could offer promotions such as discounts and coupons to attract more customers, reducing the carbon footprint created by meat.

Let us enjoy the thrill of thrift as our common Christmas gift.

Helen Chan, Ho Man Tin