If you gaze in dismay at the Christmas excess in all the shops, join in with the Pembrokeshire Recycle Tour 2008 in the New Year across the county. How does all this relate to news of floods, droughts and storms, as climate change kicks in? Come and find out and bring some things to swop!
According to Friends of the Earth, nearly three million tonnes of waste are dumped during Christmas in the UK.
Cara Wilson from the Eco Centre in Newport says: "We're under constant pressure to buy more things to throw away, and gobble up energy, especially around Christmas time. Shops and houses sprout more and more lights and plastic to throw away - 'bah humbug' if you don't like it!"
In the New Year, Recycle Tour Saturdays will be held from 11 - 3 pm in Fishguard Town Hall (January 19), Regency Hall, Saundersfoot (January 26), Picton Centre, Haverfordwest (February 16) and Pembroke Dock Yuth Centre (February 23).
RElax: Fairtrade Café, info-stands on local projects, Workshops for all ages - make a bag pot or hat from cycle inner tubes and more.
REscue: Swop-Shop - toys and unwanted Christmas presents - bring one and take one away! (working order please).
REcycle: Christmas trees in the chipper - bring a bag for the chips to take away; Christmas cards and stamps; small household electronics; mobile phones etc.
Contact West Wales Eco Centre, Newport. 01239 821906 http://www.ecocentre.org.uk">www.ecocentre.org.uk This is a Strategic Recycling Scheme initiative organised by West Wales Eco Centre, thanks to funding from the Welsh Assembly and European Union.
Meanwhile, over Christmas you don't have to make a stark choice between glitz and gloom. Celebrate the season, without wrecking the planet or your finances! If climate change is gnawing at your conscience, and you prefer individuality to mass consumerism, buy homemade, fairtrade and local. Make the most of local shops and farmers markets; Narberth, Tenby, Newport, St. Davids and Fishguard all have a wealth of individual small traders.