Let’s Make Our Holidays Green!
By Helen Venada, San Juan County Public Works
posted 12/13/2006
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Americans discard a whopping 25 percent more household waste between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day (packaging, decorations, broken toys, etc.)! San Juan County’s Solid Waste Division offers the following suggestions to help reduce holiday waste going to our landfills.
GREEN GIVING:
- Shop locally to save you transportation time and fuel, while at the same time supporting island businesses.
- Shop on-line to save energy. E-commerce warehouses use 1/16 of the energy needed to operate retail stores; even overnight shipping uses up to 40% less fuel.
- Purchase products that are durable and made from recycled materials, using your consumer dollars to support sustainable products and companies.
- Create your own gift coupons for services like babysitting, cooking, weeding, massage, etc.; write a poem or song; design a family book; give tickets to a fun event.
- Give a membership in an environmental organization or charity; “adopt” a threatened or endangered animal species.
- Send cards with recycled content to stimulate the recycling market, or choose paper-free electronic cards.
GREEN WRAPPING:
- For large gifts, cover with a colorful sheet or other fabric, hide away, and leave treasure hunt cards.
- Wrap presents in scarves, kitchen towels, or other useful fabrics.
- If you use paper wrappings, look for products with recycled content, tie packages up with ribbons or colorful string (don’t seal with tape); the receiver will be able to unwrap easily and reuse the wrappings next year.
- Use newspaper, popcorn, or nuts as packing materials; if you want to use “peanuts,” be sure to select the biodegradable variety.
GREEN DECORATING:
- Choose a live tree to make a gift to the planet.
- Decorate with nature (e.g., downed evergreen branches, holly berries, dried flowers).
- Avoid spray snow, unless it’s labeled non-toxic.
- Choose LED lights, which use 80% less energy.
GREEN ENTERTAINING:
- Choose non-disposable table settings (dishes, utensils, cups, tablecloths).
- Serve local or organic food.
- Set a soft mood by reducing electric light use.
And how about this NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTION for 2007: I will find thoughtful, creative ways to purchase, decorate, package, and share food and fun in the new year in order to avoid creating unnecessary waste.
PEACE AND GOOD CHEER!
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