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Dreaming of a Green Xmas:
How to reduce waste and help the environment this holiday season...
For most North Americans, the holiday season means time spent with family and friends, gobbling down yummy treats, parties galore, and giving and receiving gifts. It also means an estimated 3 million tons of waste and an extremely negative impact on our environment.
Wait! Before you rip into that gift, think about saving the wrapping paper to reduce waste.
Think of all the paper, ribbon and tags used to wrap the presents under your tree. More often than not, all this packaging is simply tossed in the trash once the gifts have been opened. If your wish this year is to help preserve the environment so future generations can enjoy the holidays too, just follow these simple steps and have yourself an environmentally friendly little Christmas!
Other Great Green Ideas
- Reusable gift bags are a great alternative to wrapping paper and mean less work for you.
- Many companies offer wrapping paper made from recycled content - just check the label.
- Open gifts gently to save and reuse wrapping paper. To make used paper look new, place a sheet or pillowcase over it and iron out the crinkles on a low setting.
- Make reusable gift sacks from leftover fabric swatches. Fold the material in half, sew up two sides (leaving one side open), insert your gift and tie shut with a ribbon.
- Make your own gift wrap from butcher paper, old paper bags or newspaper (comics sections work well). Gift tags can be made from old greeting cards.
- Use a fabric shopping bag and say "No!" to extra plastic when shopping for gifts.
- Look for gifts made from recycled content or materials, like glassware or photo frames.
- Rather than buying objects, give theatre, movie or concert tickets, or gift certificates for restaurants or massages. Or, offer the gift of your own time through coupons for free babysitting, yard work or meal prep.
- Making a charitable donation in someone else's name makes everyone feel good.
- Rent dishes instead of buying expensive and wasteful disposable ones. You won't have to worry about washing them or throwing away dozens of paper plates.
- Ask community authorities about Christmas tree recycling programs in your area.
- Be an informed consumer all year round. Find out about the companies that own the brands you buy and get details about their social and environmental practices. If a company supports activities you don't agree with, don't support them. Find a company that fits your values and helps the environment. ¤ Noa
Visit these sites for more environmentally friendly holiday tips.
- Gift Ideas for the Eco-Friendly (www.varsity.utoronto.ca/archives/118/dec10/review/gift.html)
- 42 Ways to Trim Your Holiday "Wasteline" (www.use-less-stuff.com)
- The Green Guide (www.thegreenguide.com)
- Ideas for a Green Christmas (www.geocities.com/RainForest/5002/christma.html)
- Destination Conservation's Have a Wonderful Waste-free Christmas (www.dcplanet.org/green_ch/greenchristmas.html)
- The Imagination Factory's Have a Green Christmas! (www.kid-at-art.com/htdoc/lesson55.html)