Bengaluru Church Sets a Green Example with 25-Foot Eco-Friendly Christmas Tree

In a heartwarming tradition dating back to 2008, the Primrose Mar Thoma Church in Bengaluru continues to showcase its commitment to environmental responsibility by crafting stunning Christmas trees entirely from reusable materials. Last year's masterpiece was a meticulously handcrafted 25-foot tree, assembled overnight using an array of recycled materials.

The church premises come alive with the spirit of sustainability during the festive season, adorned with decorations made from repurposed items such as bottles, old tires, cartons, shredded paper, straws, and coconut shells.

Daniel Thomas, a choir member at the church, expressed the congregation's dedication to an eco-friendly and meaningful Christmas, stating, "We work towards an environment-friendly and meaningful Christmas."

This year, the Mar Thoma Syrian Church has once again embraced its decade-old tradition, unveiling a magnificent 25-foot-tall Christmas tree adorned with recyclable materials such as cartons, newspapers, cardboard boxes, and aluminum foil. Every inch of the tree is covered in twinkling lights, creating a festive ambiance.

According to a report by Deccan Herald, the church has successfully reduced decoration costs by 50% each year through the innovative use of recyclable materials. Church members, numbering around 20, invest three weeks of hard work to create this eco-friendly spectacle. Cartons are transformed into star-shaped ornaments, aluminum lunch trays become decorative elements, and ingenious ornaments are fashioned from newspapers and aluminum foils.

The church's initiative started in 2008 with an eight-foot tree crafted from motorcycle tires. Over the years, the congregation has experimented with various unique materials, including waste cloth, cassette tapes, dry vegetables, cloth scraps, coconut shells, and plastic bottles.

Daniel K T, a church member involved in the tree-building process, conveyed the message behind this creative endeavor, stating, "The church wants to give a message that disposable materials can be converted into beautiful creations every day. It conveys the thought that even in difficult times, one should be evergreen and joyful."

Notably, the practice of using recycled materials to decorate Christmas trees is gaining momentum beyond the church, with other congregations in Bengaluru experimenting with eco-friendly materials for their festive decorations. Daniel observed this positive trend, indicating a growing awareness of the importance of sustainability during the holiday season.

Reference:

indianexpress.com

www.indiatoday.in