Different organizations have launched initiatives such as the production of Christmas articles and decorations with recycled material.
Almost a month from December 25, organizations, entrepreneurs and activists have proposed to promote a ‘green’ Christmas and start this year activities to reduce the consumption of energy and polluting materials, such as plastic, which on this date reaches one of its highest peaks.
One of these organizations is Green Galambiente, which is dedicated since July 2020 to environmental management, classification and management of solid waste for recycling. Your general manager, Francisco Galvis, assured that in 2019 the country generated 528,000 tons of plastic waste, which is equivalent to 11 % of the total solid waste produced that year.
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To this, Galvis added the increase in energy generated in this period, by indicating, based on data from the National Institute of Statistics and Censuses (INEC), that the average monthly consumption for a family of four should be 152 kWh (kilowatt hours) per month.
EL UNIVERSO newspaper consulted the National Electricity Corporation (CNEL EP) on the rise recorded in this period, which according to the entity is of 70 MW (megawatts) between October and December.
“Not everything is Christmas lights, we must also take into account the increase in demand from the light trade due to the presence of the public,” CNEL EP clarified. However, in December 2020 there was an increase of 34 MW compared to October 2020.
“It was only that increase because we were still with reduced mobility, a state of exception and the capacity of 50% in some cases,” they explained.
Galvis promotes the ‘creative recycling’ initiative. He said that the results they obtained through their organization’s environmental education program, during 2020 and 2021, motivated them to start this year with the decision to make decorations and gifts for Christmas made with recycled materials, reusing the waste that is generated. commonly in homes.
“We are planning to promote this initiative through our social networks with short videos or reels explaining how to make gifts or ornaments with recyclable waste, such as cardboard boxes, which can be transformed into gift boxes ”, explained Galvis, who said that they are working on the construction of a Christmas tree made with green glass bottles.
Another organization that has been interested in recycling for Christmas is You Can, from La Maná canton, Cotopaxi province.
Its founder, Maoly Army, He recalled that they began their charitable work in June 2020 with the support of 150 children from vulnerable sectors of the canton with reinforcement and pedagogical assistance.
Currently they serve 350 children and their help has been extended to school supplies, food, clothing and medicine; and they have started the Christmas Recycling campaign, which seeks to teach children and adults to classify materials, reuse them to make Christmas decorations and raise funds.
“Due to the serious consequences that our planet is suffering from environmental pollution and since Christmas is the season with the most use of plastic, we have changed our Christmas mechanisms,” said Armijos, who with the campaign hopes to initially collect 100 bags of plastic bottles. plastic, 45 bags of glass bottles and 20 bags of caps; and in the future extend the campaign to the rural sectors of the entire province.
Meanwhile, entrepreneurs have also seen recycling as an income option.
Mariana Güilcapi, founding partner of Francdecor, a micro-company that is dedicated to the preparation of arrangements and organization of events, assured that since 2018 Christmas items and decorations made with recycled materials, such as plastic bottles, glass, cardboard, toilet paper tubes and plus.
“Everything is sold, we started in 2018, but it intensified when we could not leave because of the pandemic in 2020,” recalled the entrepreneur, who assured that gift boxes and Christmas dolls, made with bottles, are the most demanded in their social networks.
Güilcapi assured that he collects the material from the things they buy at home and can be recycled, although he also receives donations from friends and family to continue this initiative, which is not exclusive to small organizations.
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For instance, Banco Procredit it also drives a sustainable Christmas.
Karen Angulo, environmental specialist at the institution, defines this initiative as a way to experience these times being aware and responsible with the consumption of food, gifts and energy, avoiding waste and waste of resources.
“This era is characterized by being quite consumerist, which has consequences for the economy, the environment and society. To reduce this impact, we must be aware of our actions and the expenses that Christmas purchases represent ”, indicated the expert, who on the environment recommended establishing a schedule for turning on and off Christmas lights and preferably lean towards led lighting.
In addition, avoid acquiring disposable products, choose those with returnable or reusable packaging, avoid buying packaged products that require batteries, reuse covers and / or wrapping paper as much as possible and, preferably, purchase local products. (I)
Paul is a talented author and journalist with a passion for entertainment and general news. He currently works as a writer at the 247 News Agency, where he has established herself as a respected voice in the industry.
