EarthWay in Midleton, Co Cork, is one of 53 refill stores nationwide, but more are needed, says Voice

Christmas comes with an unimagineable amount of packaging, wrapping, cardboard and plastic. Resist the urge to splurge and go green this Christmas, suggests Helen O’Callaghan.

Ireland generates two tonnes of food waste every minute, said Communications, Climate Action and Environment Minister Denis Naughten last week, as he outlined climate change mitigation and adaptation steps to reduce greenhouse gases, aiming for a low-carbon, climate-resilient and environmentally-sustainable economy by the end of 2050.