Send an eco-friendly Mayo postcard this Christmas
WESTPORT Eco-Congregation have launched their awareness Green Christmas initiative for 2018 - the Christmas postcard project.
As part of its efforts to promote awareness for our environment, Westport Eco-Congregation wants to reduce the amount of waste that is created at this time of year, especially the amount of paper used on Christmas cards. This is achieved by producing a high-quality Christmas postcard featuring local seasonal scenes to be used as an alternative to the traditional enveloped-contained card.
People still hold a great tradition of sending cards to those near and far, and they encourage using our postal service, given it is under threat.
This Christmas postcard uses half the card of a normal card, and it also avoids the need for an envelope – reducing the amount of waste. It aims to continue the conversation around our consumer habits and the waste each of us discards every day, but more so for the festive season.
Submissions were made over the summer to seek local wintery photos in Mayo. The photographers whose images have been successful and used as the front image of these cards are Liam Gibbons, Westport, Steph Breton, Canada, Brian Carey, Achill, and Tom Flynn, Westport.
At the launch in Carrowbeg House, a presentation of their winning photo was made to each photographer. Philip Murphy, project graphic designer, created a simple yet effective design that allows for the photo to be displayed on one side and space for a message and the address on the other.
The project stemmed from the Zero Waste event last year with local teacher Róisín Brady, who presented her lifestyle tips for being more sustainable in our consumer habits and challenging us to make ethical choices. Since then there has been much talk of single-use plastic, disposable coffee cups and the plastic on our beaches and in our oceans, yet we know Christmas creates excessive, unnecessary consumption.
Said chairperson Brid McAuley: “Róisín inspired us to continue to challenge our decision making, especially at this time of year. As consumers, we know we should shop local. This card is a simple sentiment to reduce our impact yet send our friends far and wide Christmas greetings from Mayo.”
This local product is on sale now at €5 for 10 cards. All funds raised will be for the 2019 programme of environmental awareness campaigns in Westport and Mayo.
Westport Eco-Congregation thank the environment, climate change and agricultural section of Mayo County Council for funding, through the Anti-Litter and Anti-Graffiti Awareness Initiatives 2018, graphics designer Philip Murphy, Print 4 You, Westport Radio, local newspapers, the photographers who made submissions and all who gave continuous support throughout the year.
Postcards are on sale at:
The Presbytery, St. Mary’s Church, The Mall (10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Monday to Friday).
The Wellness Room, Shop Street (10a.m. - 6 p.m. Monday to Saturday).
Christy’s Harvest, Shop Street (10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Saturday).
Westport Country Market, on Thursdays.
Books@One, Bridge Street, Louisburgh (seven days).
Or by order: Contact (086) 8576425‬‬ (Brid) or westportecocongregation@gmail.com.
* Pictured are members of Westport Eco Congregation launching their 2018 Christmas postcard project. At front, from left: Kathleen Friel, Noreen Holmes, Brid McAuley, Hazel Coffey and Kathleen Murphy. At back: Tom Flynn, Caroline Goucher, Mary Manning and Brian Carey. Both Brian and Tom’s photos were among the winning entries. Photo: Conor McKeown