Thread by @swardley

X : How do you make Christmas green?
Me : You cancel it.
X : Something a little less drastic?
Me : Use less material.
X : Like "green" Christmas paper?
Me : Use coloured cotton bags and decorative ribbon.
X : Why?
Me : You re-use from year to year.

X : You use the same cottons bags?
Me : Entire family does. I have about 50, all different shapes and patterns with ribbons. We re-use from year to year. Re-use trumps recycle.
X : Explain.
Me : Most waste goes into making stuff, so get into the habit of re-use and repair.

... it's one of the reasons why people say "Green" is political. What they really mean is that Green involves re-use, repairing and less waste which means less profit for others and less time on the golf course guffawing at the remarkable sales of whatever tat they're flogging.

... our market system as it currently stands depends upon huge amounts of waste and obsolescence. Taking responsibility, re-using and repairing things when you could buy stuff is the new "communist!" or whatever pejorative term is in favour.

I'm old school, old labour ... which means I don't like waste, I do like re-use, repair and taking responsibility over simply gorging yourself on buying some new tat with added righteousness - It's green paper, our product has added "good for the planet" stuff etc.

The market will always focus on selling "Indulgences" or anything that keeps the money flowing ... creating pollution then don't worry, buy our "forgiven of your sins" green thingy and feel virtue this Christmas under the piles of waste etc.

X : instead of reusing wrapping bags, give re-used presents!
Me : , I love receiving second hand stuff, even better if it's repaired e.g. old books from libraries, old piece of furniture that has been renovated, old watch that has been restored etc ...

... nothing says love more than someone taking the time and effort to fix something.

X : Green as new Red? Have you seen greenisthenewred.com/blog/
Me : Anything that interferes with profit is seen as dangerous, radical, threat to society. You should probably dig into what laissez faire economists said about abolitionists in the 1750s (M. de Gournay et al).

... remember profit is just a symbol for "power" by which we mean "agency over others". Our entire economic system is not based upon choice but exclusion. The problem is threatening profit means loss of agency for some over others. Those losing are unlikely to do so willingly.

Me : The topic is not very Christmassy ... just enjoy yourself and thank your lucky stars that you can afford to.
X : I've worked hard for what I have.
Me : Really? Do we need to go there? You keep telling yourself that. Buy your indulgences etc etc. Merry Xmas.