Choose real trees and cut waste this festive season.

Christmas trees may not be the most pressing household sustainability issue, but for many little (and not so little) people, festive decorations are a serious business. So what’s the best option when you’re choosing a tree?

On the plus side for artificial trees, they can be packed up and re-used. But their longevity is also a weakness, especially if they’re thrown out before their time is really up. The plastic cannot be recycled, and so, once discarded, they remain in landfill for thousands of years. Also, they are manufactured overseas, transported long distances and arrive decked in layers of packaging.

According to organic gardening expert Lyn Bagnall, plantation trees are a better option. “I love the smell of the pine – it’s part of the Christmas atmosphere,” she says.

There are a number of Christmas tree farms a short distance from Melbourne and a cut tree can be put to good use after the big day has passed. “The pine needles can be recycled in your garden and the wood can be mulched,” she says. If you can’t do it at home, ask your local council how to dispose of green waste. Alternatively, many tree farms will take back used trees.

It’s best to choose trees from plantations that don’t use chemicals, but even where they do, Ms Bagnall is pragmatic. “It’s no worse than buying commercially grown flowers,” she says.

Provided you don’t mind having a small tree, and lugging it indoors every year, growing your own tree in a pot might be the best option of all. “If you buy a potted tree, listen to what the nurseryman says about how to care for it,” Ms Bagnall says. “That way you’ll have it for a good many years. If you’re prepared to look after it, then it’s a lovely alternative.”

Ken Hickson, author of The ABC of Carbon, keeps a Christmas tree in a pot on his balcony. “We decorate it and bring it inside for festive season,” he says. As well, his family re-uses their decorations and they make sure they don’t leave the Christmas tree lights flashing around the clock.

Mr Hickson is adamant that it’s possible to be eco-minded at Christmas without being a scrooge or a killjoy. “With climate change, we need to be ready to adapt our behaviour, but we can still enjoy the luxuries of life,” he says. “We just need to be much more energy efficient in doing it.”

During the silly season, that means giving preference to organic and locally grown produce and being aware of food miles. It need not be more expensive, he argues, especially if you think carefully about how to avoid wastage.

That’s a message that goes for gifts, as well as for food. “By being sensible about the presents we give, we can eliminate a lot of unnecessary plastic packaging and boxes,” Mr Hickson says. Rather than clamouring for more material goods, consider eco-friendly gift ideas, such as donations to charities or planting trees. And then, on Boxing Day, when the party’s over, be sure to recycle the refuse.

It pays to find out how much electricity you use.

Right now, it’s tricky for householders to know exactly how much power we’re consuming at any given moment – and how much it’s costing us. But that’s all set to change as smart electricity meters are rolled out across the state.

Peter Clements, from the Victorian Department of Primary Industries, says the new devices will help us understand our energy use. “Courtesy of these smart meters, you will know far more about the costs of turning on your heater or air conditioner,” he says.

Our current spinning wheel meters will be replaced with digital technology that allows energy retailers to read your meter remotely and offer price deals that vary throughout the day. While that will mean steeper metering fees and higher rates at peak times, it can also help you save money.

A recent trial conducted by Integral Energy in NSW found that consumers paying variable tariffs saved an average of $100 per year. Under one pricing model, consumption fell by 40 per cent during peak periods.

The smart meters can connect with an in-home display that gives real-time information about your consumption and costs, but it’s not compulsory to install one. Depending on the services offered by your energy retailer, updates on power use and prices may also be available via the Internet or SMS.

“Smart meters are a tool to help people better manage the inevitable energy cost increases due to climate change,” Mr Clements says. If you want to cut your bills and your eco-footprint, opt for an in-home device – try to get all the information you can, as clearly and simply as possible.

The new meter roll out will begin slowly; about 15,000 have been installed so far, mainly in northern and eastern suburbs of Melbourne. Under the state government’s timetable, all Victorian households will receive one by the end of 2013.

Happily, you don’t have to wait years to learn more about your energy consumption. Jason Bond, from EnviroShop in Thornbury, says there are gadgets already available that give you the knowledge you need.

The Power-Mate Lite is an Australian-made gizmo that plugs in between the socket and an appliance and tells you exactly how much power the appliance is guzzling. “It allows you to work out where you are using energy,” Mr Bond says, “so you can reduce it, and reduce the associated environmental impacts.”

The device can be set to display energy consumption, costs or carbon dioxide emissions, and can also extrapolate the results to produce an annual figure.

“Every time someone uses a Power-Mate, they always find weird things they never thought would need much energy,” Mr Bond says. He’s been surprised to learn that some gas wall-heaters also churn through electricity to run timers and thermostats. A heated towel rack is another serial offender, especially when it’s left running night and day.

“You can also find out how much your TVs and stereos are consuming when they are on standby,” he says, “Those phantom loads can be substantial – around 10 per cent of your entire energy usage.”

A Power-Mate Lite will set you back $115, so it’s a good idea to split the cost with family or friends. Alternatively, some public libraries have Power-Mates available to borrow, or you can rent one from EnviroShop for $35 per week.

Check out this selection of Australian eco home websites.

yourhome.gov.au – a joint project of the Australian Government and the building industry, the Your Home Technical Manual contains all the know-how for your wildest sustainable design and construction dreams. The authoritative website also has step-by-step guides for buyers and renovators. All information is free to download.

makeyourhomegreen.vic.gov.au – Make Your Home Green is a portal site, chock full of news and links for Victorian homeowners and renovators. You’ll find loads of facts on the 5 Star building standard, plus links to rebate guides and tips for saving money, water and energy around the house.

greenelectricitywatch.org.au – if you’re thinking about switching to green power, Green Electricity Watch will help you sort through the spin. Run by three major environmental groups, the regular survey assesses the eco-credentials behind the claims of the power retailers. It lists each product’s ranking alongside its extra cost, and also carries a comprehensive page of energy saving advice.

savewater.com.au – the Savewater Alliance is a non-profit association made up of water businesses and government agencies. Its website is intended to be a one-stop water conservation shop, and boasts tips, research, case studies and product links that will help you cut water use throughout your home and garden.

sokitt.com – when your old white goods conk out, make Sokitt your first research stop. This ingenious website analyses the running costs of the fridges, dishwashers and washing machines on the Australian market, together with their upfront prices. You can modify the search to account for your size and style preferences and even compare your old model with new ones on offer. 

sgaonline.org.au – Sustainable Gardening Australia is a non-profit organisation that promotes smart backyard gardening with a taste for veggies. The website includes a forum and free fact sheets examining aphids, zucchinis and everything in between. You can also sign up to Cuttings, a monthly email update full of handy seasonal hints and planting guides.

aussieslivingsimply.com.au – this busy online forum is dedicated to the simple life. Join up and ask questions of other people who are putting sustainable living into practice. Discussion threads include permaculture, fruit and veggie gardening, renewable energy, preserving and mending, as well as cooking, cleaning and DIY construction.

recyclingnearyou.com.au – if you’re not sure what can and can’t have a second life, look up Recycling Near You. Run by Planet Ark, the website contains information from every council in the country. It covers kerbside collection as well as instructions for trickier items like e-waste, tyres, oil and chemicals. You can search by council area or by product.

ethical.org.au – the Ethical Consumer Guide aims to inform shoppers about the social and environmental impact of our buying habits. The website has information about the brands and products on our supermarket shelves, as well as explanations of broader issues such as waste, food miles and organics. 

Smart shading can help heatproof your home.

IF YOU shade your windows well, you’ll be able to switch off your air-conditioner more often this summer, says David Hallett, the state manager of Archicentre. “It can make you more comfortable on two fronts – it will keep your rooms cooler and ease the burden on your hip pocket as well.”

Archicentre is the advisory service of the Australian Institute of Architects. It runs free seminars on a variety of issues, including renovating and sustainable building.

Mr Hallett says that the key to effective shading is to stop the sun from striking windows directly. “Many people try to stay cool by drawing curtains or internal blinds, but the sun is still transmitting heat into the room. The trick is to stop it hitting the glass in the first place.”

Large structures such as verandahs, pergolas and covered outdoor living areas can all do the job, but there’s a catch. “In Melbourne, you’ve got to balance keeping the sun out during the hot months with getting it in during a cold winter,” he says.

If you’re planning to build or renovate, pay special attention to your eaves. During summer, the sun tracks high in the northern sky and stays hot until late in the afternoon as it sets in the west. In winter, the sun is lower in the sky all day. Because of this difference, it’s possible to design eaves so they block sunshine in summer, but let it in throughout winter.

“If you design the building well, with living areas to the north, you will want the winter sun coming in. The calculation of eaves becomes very important,” Mr Hallett says.

Even so, you don’t need to completely redesign your home just to improve its shading. Other cheap and effective tactics include installing shadecloth or outdoor blinds on your windows. Mr Hallett warns DIYers to be cautious with shade sails. “Make sure they’re designed and installed properly because they can come down in strong winds and take some of the building with them.”

Another simple strategy is to grow trees for shade. Robin Brimblecombe, a solar energy researcher at Monash University, says careful planting of deciduous trees to the north and west will help cool your home in summer while allowing sunlight in when they lose their leaves.

According to Dr Brimblecombe, US researchers recently found that houses with existing shade trees use an average of five per cent less electricity over summer. (For more information, see his article in the current issue of ReNew magazine, published by the Alternative Technology Association.)

Before you decide on a tree variety, it’s wise to contact a nursery for detailed advice. “When you plant leafy trees you need to consider whether you’ve got enough water to sustain them through summer,” Dr Brimblecombe says. Despite the extra shade, bigger isn’t always better – thirsty roots can damage pipes and foundations.

Smaller trees can be very effective, especially to the west. “For sustainability, deciduous fruit trees like apples and stone fruits are a great idea,” he says. “You get the double benefit of shade and edible produce.”

Dr Brimblecombe also suggests growing deciduous grape vines on a north-facing pergola. “It’s lovely to sit under their shade and you also get a cooling effect from the leaves as they transpire.”