There are green trees, and then there are green trees. While environmentalists may have been fretting this past holiday season about whether or not to indulge in a Christmas tree – to buy a fairtrade fir or a potted pine – one Australian destination made an evergreen of its own from recycled material. The Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority erected a truly green Christmas tree made of defunct bicycle parts at The Rocks shopping centre in Sydney, Australia. One hundred bicycles destined for the scrapyard were rescued and put to use making the 23-foot-tall Tree-Cycle, which was lit up after eight gruelling weeks of design and construction. Even the bright shining star at the top was compiled of wires and spokes, and all the material was re-recycled at the end of the holidays, of course. This is the third recycled tree that has been displayed at the shopping centre in as many years. In 2008, one was made out of chairs, and in 2009, one was made from bottles. Oh Christmas tree, oh Christmas tree, how lovely (and ecologically sound!) are your branches…
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How will the government and DMOs address the challenges of including glass in DRS while ensuring a level playing field across the UK?
There's no easy solution to include glass in the DRS while maintaining a level playing field. Potential approaches include a phased introduction of glass, potentially with higher deposits to reflect its logistical challenges. The government and DMOs could incentivise innovation in glass packaging design and subsidise dedicated return points for glass-handling. Exemptions for smaller businesses unable to handle glass might also be necessary. Any successful solution will likely blend several approaches. It must address the differing priorities of devolved administrations, balance environmental benefits with logistical and cost implications, and be supported by robust consumer education campaigns emphasizing the importance of glass recycling.