Fiona Flanagan

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Alastair and Diane Lucking out: Some of them rent the same tree each year, says Alastair

There is nothing like the 15,000 Christmas to get Trees , you in The Holiday mood, as for many of us, picking a festive fir tree signals the start of The Holiday season.

it is not Surprising, it's the busiest Time of the year for Alastair and Diane Lucking, Love to run A Christmas tree in Kirkby Mallory, Leicestershire. They began to cut Trees growing in The Fields near her house in 2013, and two years later decided to allow the customers the Trees to rent, use as an alternative to buying a single, you.

"The rental idea came from a eureka moment while on holiday," says Alastair .

"There are two efforts, the offers to more to the environment than all of the current tree-real or Plastic - and the creation of a business Disruptor product for the Christmas tree Market . "

The Luckings importing Trees from Denmark and re-planted, That you rent big enough to you. They are grown in special containers with small holes around the side, which allows the smaller roots grow into the surrounding soil.

When the Trees are harvested, the smaller roots break off, But most of The Roots stay in the pot, making a replica relatively simply.

The rented Trees supplied will be picked up at the beginning of December and a month later,

"When the Trees say re-planted to grow more, and some people rent the same tree each year," Alastair .

"We can tie a tag to each with A Number , a name, and note it in a book. One of our customers has a boy in the family, measures his height against The Tree every year to see how much he's grown. "

the prices vary depending on size But a 1. 5m (5ft) tree cost 30 £for rent. The Trees are supplied, from the beginning of December, and will be picked up again by the customer in The First week of January, when you transplanted.

"We have to rent the 1,500 Trees available this year. Customers love to have a real tree, But hate to take it to the skip to be chipped at the end of Christmas," says Alastair .

This year also the Plastic mesh for the Trees is biodegradable

He and Diane are also The Other areas of the company are as environmentally friendly as possible. The biggest area of waste is used the Plastic mesh to wrap around the Trees , if they are Taken Out of the ground. "We are working with our suppliers to source is a biodegradable alternative, and this year is the braid made from Potato Starch , 100% biodegradable," says Alastair .

the concept Of sustainable Christmas will not listen to Trees - for the eco-aware, it can encompass everything from presents, to carry the party and eat.

At the recent Spirit of Christmas fair in London's Olympia, many of the exhibitors, the promotion of their environmental compatibility. In a cosy corner of the hall, Nicole Paskauskas manning was the removal of The Stand for your biodegradable glitter company, Disco dust London. It distributes a range of sparkling hair, face and body products, minus the micro plastics, often found in glitter.

Nicole Paskauskas sold glitter - less the usual micro plastics

"Instead of the plastics we use cellulose film derived from hardwoods such as eucalyptus. In the wetlands, it is not broken down by microorganisms in the water, so when it is washed, the animals are taking in the glitter, and it is not part of the Food Chain . We also sell aloe-vera-gel to stick the glitter. "

But the bio-glitter is a relatively new product, and Nicole says, there are limitations.

"some Specific shapes and effects to be made out of Plastic , so we can't sell everything, neon, UV, glow in The Dark , iridescent or holographic. "

At The Other end of the hall, Jamie Griffiths from Oarsum gifts sold from recycled sail cloth. Its products range from travel bags, pencil cases and dog beds.

Jamie Griffiths recycled sail cloth to his pockets

"as soon As the sails are torn, a chandler [a supplier of sailing equipment] can not use them, so rather than them end up in landfills, we use them for. "

The robust nature of The Material makes it rugged and waterproof products, including a backgammon board, the submitted Mr Griffiths, before you sail-cloth sun lounger.

"If you spill a glass of wine, it is dry in the shortest possible Time ," he says, as a customer, an overnight bag decorated with a pink flamingo admired.

you've bought, the presents, rents of The Tree and put on your best sparkles, But Christmas would not be complete without food. Or would it?

Fiona Oakes with some of the turkeys running at her Animal Sanctuary

Fiona Oakes of Tower Hill Stables Animal Sanctuary in Essex, and encouraged to sponsor the people, instead of eating a Turkey , you will handle on your farm.

"We have 23 turkeys and they come from everywhere," she says as a herd of eight curious birds our feet pecks.

"are These from a farm in Hertfordshire. One of our supporters, approached The Farmer and asked if it would be possible to buy them alive, not dead. They are in remarkably good condition, not only physically, But mentally; they have already developed personalities. "

This is not always the case, however.

"We had a Turkey , named Big Bird , she was about 55lbs, and she was off her feet, if she came," says Fiona . "We built her a little cart, got you round, And Then finally back on their feet. We slimmed her down, she had a strict training program, we changed their diet, and they actually live for quite a long Time . "

Ms Oakes says, how many sponsors are vegan, including Leah Griffin, and their nine-year-old daughter Lexi, who will pay 10 € per month towards the maintenance of the Turkey .

Leah Griffin and her daughter Lexi are under the sponsorship of this flock of turkeys

"I like the sponsorship of the turkeys, because I think you should be rescued instead of eaten. They are really cute and they are funny, I like The Noise they make," says Lexi.

The evening and the lights of the barns begin to sparkle like a scene in an alternative Nativity Play , albeit one That is more poultry than usual.

life, christmas, lifestyle, christmas trees, sustainable living

Source of news: bbc.com