Everybody likes to send and receive Christmas cards - they tell our friends and family that we're thinking of them at this happy time of year. It is estimated that each and every one of us will send on average 17 Christmas cards this year - so around 8 million for our county alone. But when you consider that many of them will end up being thrown away it becomes clear just how wasteful the tradition of sending cards at Christmas can be. Of course it doesn't have to be this way - there are lots of things we can do to send a greener greeting.

1. Give to charity instead
   Why not make an agreement with friends or work colleagues not to send any cards this year and instead each make a donation to your favourite charity?
   
2. Send an e-card
   If the Christmas card is all about the message it sends then do we even need to send a physical one at all? Send an electronic one via the internet instead. The message is the same only without the waste and indeed cost. You can send locally themed e-cards via sites such as Go Cumbria, BBC Cumbria and the Cumbria Wildlife Trust.
   
3. Send one card instead of many
   Alternatively, if you normally send cards to multiple recipients at the same address, such as in the workplace, why not place just one card in a communal area. Again, if you wish you can pledge the money you have saved to charity.
   
4. Be sure to recycle any cards you do receive
   Greeting cards can be recycled in the card bank at your nearest recycling centre. The Woodland Trust will also collect cards for recycling at either TK Max, M&S or Home Sense.
   
5. You could even compost or reuse them
   If you prefer you can even add your Christmas cards to your home composting bin or use them to make gift labels for next year.
   
6. And don't forget the stamps
   Many charities will collect stamps and sell them on to fund their projects - Oxfam and Royal National Institute of Blind People are two organisations that do this.