Over 90 entries were submitted to South Dublin County Council?s recent Christmas Decoration Competition. ?Waste destined for the bin got a new lease of life and was transformed into unique festive decorations. Everyday waste items such as tinfoil, plastic bottles, plastic bags CD?s, tomato trays, cassette tapes, cardboard and yogurt cartons were used to make spectacular decorations proving that waste can be reused in imaginative ways? said Claire Hinch Assistant Environmental Awareness Officer.

Winning entries were:

• Category under 10 years: Roisin Ni Chuig from Kilnamanagh made a Christmas tree made from amongst other things poster tubes, cassette tape ribbon, paper, cardboard, tinfoil, copper wire, old pens & sweet wrappers.
• Category 11 to 18 years: Emily Duggan from Rathfarnham made a Bouncing? Angel from wire, tinfoil, grass string and an old wooden bead.
• Category 18+: Dee Kelly from Tallaghtmade a star from crocheted plastic bags with a sparkle of gold wire mesh from a wine bottle.

Each winner will receive a prize of environmentally friendly Solar LED Christmas Lights.

South Dublin County Council encourages all householders to recycle their festive packaging at bring banks around the County or in their green bins. Bin collection arrangements for the Christmas period and details of Christmas tree recycling can be downloaded at www.southdublin.ie.

Some tips for an environmentally friendly Christmas:

? If you're not sure what to buy, why not buy gift vouchers and avoid wasteful production of unwanted goods at the same time.

? Gift tags can be made from old greetings cards.

? Pass any unwanted presents on to your local charity shop rather than throwing them away - there is sure to be someone who will like them!

? Say no to unwanted bags! Always use a reusable shopping bag or reuse plastic bags. Don't accept bags that you don't need.

? When shopping, avoid goods which involve unnecessary packaging or complicated mixed material packaging which can make recycling difficult.

? Recycle used batteries

? Avoid using paper plates, cups and serviettes if you are planning a party.

? Buy Recycled! Buying products that have a recycled content is just as important as actually recycling

? Choose decorations which can be reused, rather than flimsy ones which will be used once and thrown away.

Contact: Claire Hinch, Assistant Environmental Awareness Officer, South Dublin County Council. chinch@sdublincoco.ie