Christmas very green: so decorate course
© Hans Huber / Westend61 / CorbisArtificial snow
It looks pretty, when pine branches or the Christmas tree are misted with silver or gold spray or on the windows Santa Claus and reindeer made of artificial snow frolicking. But you should choose the right product for it: The environmental organization Greenpeace tested six different snow spraysFour of them contained carcinogenic substances in high concentrations. And another disadvantage is the snow from the can: The tree is not compostable afterwards. Better to take environmentally friendly spray snow from starch from the craft shop.
lights
The TÜV Rheinland tested 52 fairy lights and came to frightening results: 38 showed some significant safety deficiencies. Every fifth string of lights poses an acute risk of electric shock or burns. Particularly negative were the results of a Santa Claus window decoration for 4.99 euros. Cable and plug were not in order, the lights did not change properly. Tip: Access to fairy lights with LEDs. They use up to 90 percent less power and also have a longer life. Especially for families with small children, fairy lights with LEDs are ideal: they reduce the voltage from 230 to a safe 12 to 24 volts. New for outside: fairy lights with solar panel.
candles
Five candles in the room consume as much oxygen as a human. Ventilate regularly! Caution is especially in colorful cheap paraffin products offered - when burning numerous toxins are released, as well as candles with enamel coating. A quality notice is the "RAL" label. Or you can access stearin candles (from renewable raw materials) or real beeswax candles right away. The latter are expensive, but burn almost pollutant free.
sparklers
Sparklers provide great children's eyes - however, when burning, toxic nitrogen oxides are produced. Therefore: do not burn too many at once and do it best go outside!
lamp oils
Burning lamp oils also generates pollutants. Use oils without dyes and perfumes and ventilate the rooms well. Take a lamp with safety lock. Again and again it happens that children swallow lamp oil or suck on the wick.
tinsel
Most German manufacturers renounce now toxic lead in tinsel. But in imported goods it still happens (recognizable, for example, the reference "from Staniol"). The problem: With the Christmas trees disposed of, the glitter threads wander into composting plants. Lead accumulates in the environment and in the blood of humans and can lead to learning disabilities in children. It's best to forego it completely.
Christmas trees with eco seal
Around 25 million Christmas trees are sold every year in Germany. Eighty percent of the trees come from plantations that use a lot of chemicals in the form of pesticides. Prefer a Christmas tree bearing the seal of a recognized organic farming association such as Naturland or Bioland or the international FSC seal.An up-to-date list of outlets can be found at www.robinwood.com. The environmentalist organization Robin Wood also warns of trees bearing the "FairForest" logo, which are conventionally produced rather than "environmentally friendly" and "with high environmental standards" as claimed. By the way: Christmas trees in a pot look very eco-friendly, but they are torn from their hibernation by the transport into the warm living room and often do not grow anymore.
Wrapping paper
Access recycled wrapping paper with the "Blue Angel" or wrap the gifts in colorful cloths or boxes, which you give away right away, Above all, avoid metal and plastic films as well as coated gift papers.
