Save the environment and save money with Miller Homes

After the twelfth night Christmas becomes a distant memory for another year, although, in these environmentally friendly times, homeowners are at a loss about what to do with their Christmas cards that have adorned mantel pieces and windowsills for the past month. That’s why eco-conscious housebuilder Miller Homes is once again supporting the Woodland Trust by collecting unwanted Christmas cards at its 15 developments across Yorkshire.

It is estimated that 1 billion Christmas cards will have been sent over the festive period (17 for every man, women and child) most of which will end up in the bin. If everyone recycles just one Christmas card, throughout January, the Woodland Trust will be able to plant 15,000 trees to create UK woodland.

Adele Hutchinson, sales liaison manager said: “Having 15 developments in the Yorkshire region means that we get many people through our sales centre’s doors each week. By collecting unwanted Christmas cards during January ensures we are continuing on from our ground-breaking Millennium Village eco-friendly development in Allerton Bywater and achieving our long term aim of helping to protect our environment.”

Last year the Woodland Trust collected 73.6 million cards. The money raised through the scheme is ploughed directly into its tree planting work. In the 12 years that the Woodland Trust Christmas Card Recycling Scheme has been running, 600 million cards have been recycled. This has enabled the Woodland Trust to plant 141,000 trees, save 12,000 tonnes of paper from landfill and stop 16,000 tonnes of CO2 from going into the atmosphere – the equivalent to taking more than 5,000 cars off the road for a year.

Adele continues: “With one fifth of household dustbins consisting of paper and card Miller Homes Yorkshire is proud to be involved in helping to reduce this statistic and protecting our environment at the same time.”

All sales centres around the region will collect the unwanted cards from January 5th – 31st 2009.

Miller is not only helping to protect the environment but the company is also helping potential homebuyers in these financially testing times by the recent introduction of its Miway initiative. Under this helpful scheme buyers will own 100% of their property but pay only 75% of the price now and 25% later.

Customers can arrange their own finance for 75% of the purchase price and Miller Homes will provide a 0% APR loan for the remaining 25%, secured by a second mortgage. Customers repay the loan by paying back 25% of the value of their home when they sell or transfer it, or after 10 years – whichever comes soonest.

To drop off your unwanted Christmas cards or find out more about the helpful Miway initiative, log on to Millerhomes.co.uk for your nearest development.