2019-12-02
Minister for Climate Change, Sustainability and Consumer Affairs Shane Rattenbury has reminded Canberrans to stay safe and reduce their environmental impacts as the festive season approaches.
“There’s a reason it’s called the silly season, and we want everyone to enjoy a Christmas free from faulty goods, fraud, and unnecessary stress,” Minister Rattenbury said.
“It’s also a chance to make some small changes to your Christmas planning to see how you might make your celebrations more environmentally sustainable.”
Give the gift of sustainability this Christmas
Christmas is a time for celebration, but it’s also a time of year when a lot of waste ends up in landfill.
For a planet-friendly Christmas, you can try giving experiences rather than objects, choosing recycled or locally made presents, or making gifts yourself. You can also avoid presents that won’t last and cut down on wrapping paper by reusing paper or making your wrapping part of the gift with something like a scarf or a tea towel.
For a sustainable celebration you can try a local food feast, go packaging free and choose not to use single-use plastics. These are just a few of the ways Canberrans can make their Christmas more sustainable.
Minister Rattenbury encouraged people to think outside the box this year to make it a safe and sustainable Christmas for everyone in the Territory.
“Canberrans are some of the most conscientious in Australia when it comes to sustainability,” Minister Rattenbury said.
“By making just one or two small changes over the festive season, we can make a big impact as a city.”
Be aware of the risks
Minister Rattenbury also warned that consumer safety was a big focus for the ACT government over the Christmas season.
“Each year we see an increase in safety recalls around Christmas and in the New Year, so we encourage people to keep an eye out for product safety warnings, especially parents.”
“Inflatable pool toys and toys with button batteries are regularly included in product safety warnings, so it’s important to supervise children using these types of toys over Christmas.”
Consumers can check the latest warnings and recalls at https://www.productsafety.gov.au/
“It’s also important to be alert for scammers looking to take advantage of the Christmas rush, and be sure to do your research when making large purchases.”
“Look for reviews and references, and don’t be tempted by deals that look too good to be true – because often they are.”
For more information on consumer rights and responsibilities, visit the Fair Trading Website at www.act.gov.au/fairtrading