THE CO-OPERATIVE BANK FORECASTS GREEN CHRISTMAS

THE CO-OPERATIVE BANK FORECASTS GREEN CHRISTMAS Millions are dreaming of a green Christmas this year according to The Co- operative Bank. The Bank, which last month published its Ethical Purchasing Index (EPI) showing green purchases up 19 per cent year on year, believes that millions will be celebrating an ethical Yuletide. According to independent research * 71 per cent of respondents agreed with the statement "Christmas has become too commercialised" However, amongst those celebrating, many will be drinking organic wine and beer. Sales of organic alcoholic drinks have increased by 122 per cent since 2000 although at £70.9m this only represents 0.2 per cent of the total alcoholic drinks market. Seven and half million Christmas trees were bough in 2000 and while many ended up on the tip, more and more people are recycling their seasonal firs. The total number of trees reported to be recycled in 200 stood at nearly 1,200,000. Up to 1 billion Christmas cards could end up in bins across the UK but the Woodland Trust is again setting up a card recycling scheme. Last year 34m cards were recycled and they are hoping to recycle 40 million this year. However, the festivities will put a strain on landfill sites across the country. According to the waste watch website it is estimated that over Christmas as much as 83 sq. km of wrapping paper will end up in UK Rubbish bins, enough to cover an area larger than Guernsey. Simon Williams, the Bank's Director of Corporate Affairs at the Bank, said:" Our Ethical Purchasing Index shows that consumers are choosing products directly marketed as green and ethical. So why should Christmas be any different Deborah Doane from the New Economics Foundation, who in Partnership with the Bank, compiled the Index, said: "The results of this year's Ethical Purchasing Index show an active consumer base when it comes to buying green and ethical products. This is no small feat in an economy which began to slide in the latter half of 2001" Ends For further information contact: 17 December 2002 Dave Smith/Paul Lawler The Co-operative Bank Press Office Tel: 0161 829 5397/5091 Fax: 0161 839 4220 e-mail: press.office@co-operativebank.co.uk ------------------------------------------------------------ This information was brought to you by Waymaker http://www.waymaker.net The following files are available for download: http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2002/12/17/20021217BIT00650/wkr0001.doc http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2002/12/17/20021217BIT00650/wkr0002.pdf