Green Party Councillor Oisín O’Connor (Glencullen-Sandyford) has criticised Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council and its Fine Gael Cathaoirleach for “greenwashing” on plastic Christmas trees.
“We have naturally grown Christmas trees here in Glencullen and across the Dublin mountains that face similar challenges to all rural family businesses. I was shocked to see this week that the council is running a 10% off promotion for a multinational plastic Christmas tree company, and greenwashing it as a recycling initiative. This company don’t even have an office or shop in Ireland, so we have a public body promoting that people buy plastic trees online from a UK subsidiary of a US multinational,” he said.
“I’m encouraging people to shop local for their tree this Christmas and if possible buy direct from one of the Christmas tree farms in the locality, such as farms in Glencullen and the Dublin mountains. I want to be clear that this greenwashing initiative launched by the Fine Gael Cathaoirleach (Mayor) is in no way supported by all councillors in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown. I have written to the Cathaoirleach (Mayor) to insist he cancel the plastic tree promotion with immediate effect.”
“I stand in full support of our local Christmas Tree Farms, the sellers and the GAA club and Scouts volunteers that collect trees in January to turn them into mulch and wood chip for local use,” the Green councillor said.
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