Whilst all those packages and wrapping paper are the remnants of joyful celebrations, they’re likely headed for the bin. In the UK, household waste increases by approximately 30% during the festive period, resulting in an estimated 3 million tonnes of additional waste.
However, with some minor changes, conscious individuals can increase sustainability this festive season.
When hosting festive meals, it’s easy to get carried away and make more food than everyone can consume. And whilst washing dishes is a hassle, single-use plastic and paper dining products create waste. Consider these tips for a thoughtful feast:
– Shop local. Supporting local farmers – many of whom use organic growing methods – is good for your community and reduces the distance your food must travel.
– Compost waste. Instead of throwing away uneaten food, set up a composting station to recycle your scraps into fertiliser for your garden or other plants.
– Skip the paper and plastic. Choose reusable dinnerware and cloth napkins instead of disposable options. Then, store leftovers in reusable glass containers rather than single-use plastic ones to keep them fresh and reduce additional waste.
Each year, the UK discards around 227,000 miles of wrapping paper during the festive season. A thoughtful approach to gift-giving can significantly reduce waste:
– Consider experience gift options such as a spa day, cooking class or yoga session. These create lasting memories without contributing to clutter. Even a gift card to someone’s favourite restaurant creates minimal waste.
– Bundle your online purchases and look for retailers that use minimal packaging or eco-friendly packing materials.
– Explore charity shops. These businesses have a wealth of terrific finds, and donate proceeds to worthy causes.
– Skip traditional wrapping paper, which often can’t be recycled due to dyes and additives. Choose reusable alternatives, such as cloth bags and scarves. You can even make your own with materials like newspapers or old maps.
– Repurpose wrapping paper as tissue paper for bagged presents, shred into confetti for your New Year’s party, or use it in DIY projects and crafts.
– Shop local. Supporting small businesses is a great way to give back to your local community and live more sustainably.
– Carsharing. Bring friends and family along on your shopping trips, and make sure to bring reusable shopping bags.
Whether you’re able to implement all of these practices or just a few, it will go a long way toward reducing waste this festive season.
Black MondayOn 19 October 1987, the stock markets experienced a dramatic plunge that prompted many firms to shut down their trading desks and turn off their phones to minimize internal losses. Raymond James refused to do the same. Our desks stayed open to help meet clients’ needs, resulting in our first and only unprofitable quarter since the firm went public in 1983. |
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Who was Raymond James?The Raymond in our name is actually from Edward Raymond, owner of a 15-employee mutual fund sales group, Raymond and Associates, along Florida’s west coast. He sold his company to Bob James on 15 July 1964, on condition that the surviving firm be called Raymond, James & Associates. Three days after the sale, Ed Raymond was involved in a near-fatal automobile accident and never joined the firm. Nonetheless, even after Raymond had passed away, Bob James insisted that his name remain on the door – ahead of James’ own. That was a promise he made to Ed Raymond three days before the accident, and Bob James was a man who kept his promises. |
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Bear Market of 1974The severe bear market of 1974 threatened the existence of Raymond James, which was bleeding capital by the day. Tom James, his father and other leaders took extreme measures to keep the firm afloat, slashing costs, foregoing paychecks and even attempting to sell the firm for just enough capital to protect client assets and retain as many associates as possible. The story could have ended very differently if not for a sharp upturn and continued rebound in the stock markets late in the year. |
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Taking Raymond James PublicWhen consideration was being given to taking Raymond James public, Tom James penned a letter to shareholders (largely employees at the time). ” … the public offering should be considered as a statement of our independence. While this is a psychological rather than an economic rationale, it is nonetheless very important. We have asserted for some time that we are not interested in becoming a small part of a very large corporation. That assertion results mainly from the inclinations of management rather than the economic benefits associated with either alternative. The public stock offering affords us the opportunity to enjoy a little bit of the best of both worlds. While shareholders will be given liquidity at fair market value, we will still have the ability to control our own destiny.” After 40+ years of Tom’s leadership, upon becoming CEO, Paul Reilly was often questioned about whether the company might ultimately surrender its cherished independence and be acquired by some larger entity. His response: “Not while I’m around.” It’s a theme that continues today. |
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