'Campaign To Donate What Christmas Cards Cost' and reduce carbon by planting trees

A new take on sending Christmas cards for 2014 is on offer – planting trees instead of sending Christmas cards.

DontSendMeACard.com, in partnership with the charity Trees for Cities, have built a donation facility where consumers can calculate how much they would have spent on cards and postage, and make a one-off donation instead.

Founder Alex Furness says "With the rising cost of postage and a greater need than ever to be conscious of the environment, this is a very simple way to make a donation that benefits the environment - planting trees - whilst reducing on card waste."

"Plus it makes your life a little easier during this busy period by not having to find the time to write out each card and make the postal deadline”.

With over 1 Billion cards estimated to be dumped or burnt after the Christmas season is over, it is no surprise that an online alternative to address the issue has been developed, highlighting the carbon footprint.

Alex adds "For those on board with the idea of making an environmental saving this year, they can very quickly make a one-off donation and receive a certificate showcasing how much they have reduced their own carbon footprint by."

Donators can then choose to share their carbon reduction certificate online to explain why they haven't sent Christmas cards this year and encourage others to do the same.

The carbon saving is mainly attributed to how many trees are planted, which act as a carbon sink. For every £5 that is donated the charity Trees for Cities can plant a tree in an urban area. The charity uses the formula that for every 2.67 trees planted, 1 tonne of CO2 will be absorbed.

In addition a smaller carbon saving is made based on the amount of cards not being sent. The Centre for Business and Climate Solutions at Exeter University has created a report for the website DontSendMeACard.com on the environmental effect for each greeting card sent, which is soon to be published.

Alex explains "As an example, if you donated what it would cost to send 50 Christmas cards this year by 2nd class post, you would reduce your carbon footprint by 3.74 tonnes."

That example figure is calculated using an average cost of 50p per card, resulting in a donation of £25 plus £26.50 for postage, totalling £51.50. Trees for Cities can plant ten trees with that donation amount, which will absorb 3.74 tonnes of carbon in thier lifetime.

Alex concludes "To put that into perspective, the carbon savings of taking a car off the road for a year are approximately 3.14 tonnes CO2e."

“We’re encouraging people to put up last years cards, and give people a ring, or visit them.”

“The overall sentiment from sending a card doesn’t have to go. It can become a more powerful emotion to do something good by all banding together to contribute to the environment and give something back.”

Those that are in agreement and want to reduce their carbon footprint for Christmas 2014 can make their donation on the website: http://www.dontsendmeacard.com/contribute/Sh3R

Sources:
http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/green-living/high-environmental-price-of-a-very-merry-christmas-429635.html