South Tyneside eco group encouraging people to think about festive footprint by holding sustainable Christmas fair

Eco group Williby Roc’s are encouraging South Tyneside’s residents to have a green Christmas this year by holding a sustainable Christmas fair.

The group wants people to reduce their festive footprint and will be giving them the chance to buy local homemade gifts, along with demonstrations on how to make your own Christmas crackers, eco friendly wrapping paper and repurposed Christmas cards.

The fair, being held at Bilton Hall in Jarrow, will also feature 12 local traders selling eco friendly gifts, an evening wear swap shop, a fix it cafe and Christmas recycling advice.

Education director at Williby Roc’s, Danielle Pollard, is keen to ensure residents know as much as possible heading into the festive season.

She said: “We want to bring the people of South Tyneside together to give guidance and ideas on how they can green their festivities and celebrations.

“Christmas is a particularly wasteful time of year and we wanted to create a one stop shop where the community could buy eco friendly products and gifts.”

The group is looking to prove you don’t have to compromise on quality to be environmentally friendly at Christmas.

Figures show that waste in the UK increases by 30% in the festive period, with cards, present packaging and wrapping paper piling up across the country.

The Williby Roc’s Christmas Fair will take place on Saturday, November 23, at Bilton Hall between 5.30pm and 7.30pm.