22/12/2005
- In many countries it's holiday season. If last-minute
shopping, baking and decorating turn you into Ebenezer Scrooge,
just think about the toll this season takes on the environment.
But don't worry, you don't have to choose between enjoying
this time of year and becoming an environmental stick in
the mud. There are plenty of simple steps that you and your
family can take if you are dreaming of a "green"
holiday season. To have your gingerbread cookie and eat
it too, check out the 12 tips below.
1: Cut down on your shopping. As a general rule the more
you buy and consume the more of the planet's limited resources
your using up. Try to buy local produce to cut the travel
miles your holiday essentials have clocked up. 2:
Travel smart. When it's time to go shopping for the perfect
gift or visit relatives, try to take public transportation
or carpool for trips. Every time you hop in your car or
even worse a plane, you're producing greenhouse gases
which contribute to global warming. Even better? Shop
online. You can get your loved ones gift memberships to
environmental organizations, like Greenpeace.
3: Pay for the present, not the packaging.
Put some thought into the gifts you are purchasing. Avoid
products that are over-packaged or made from toxic PVC
plastic or from endangered trees like mahogany.
4: Pull the plug on dirty presents.
Electronics are popular gifts so rather than just consider
the cost, check out which companies are doing more than
others to make cleaner products. This years presents shouldn't
be next years toxic waste.
5: Cut down on wrapping paper. Why
not have fun making your own wrapping paper out of recycled
paper? With a potato stamp and some water paint you can
make unique wrapping paper. Cut up last years cards to
make perfect recycled gift tags. Make sure your waste
wrapping paper goes in the recycling.
6: Be tree friendly. If a tree is
traditionally part of your celebrations, a living, potted
one is your best option because it can be reused next
year. If you must use a cut tree, ask your local officials
about tree recycling or if you can chip the tree to use
as mulch in your garden.
7: Less is more. If you decorate your
home with lights, think about how much energy they use.
Don't forget to turn off the lights before you go to bed
or go out, and use LED bulbs to save energy.
8: Go au natural. Replace those plastic,
over-priced holiday decorations, with natural reuseable
decorations like whitewashed branches and pine cones.
They can put you in the holiday spirit just as easily
as a huge, inflatable snowman can.
9: Cut down on your use of paper.
If you send holiday cards, look for a recycled content
or better yet, send an e-card.
10: Break out the china. When it comes
time to party down, do so with real dishes - not disposables.
Ask your friends to borrow some of their plates and glasses
or rent them. Cleanup will be a little tougher, but it's
worth it. If you must use disposable, look for recycled
content.
11: Hang lots of mistletoe. This won't
really help the environment, but it's good advice nonetheless
;)
12: Get started on those New Year's
resolutions! If you've followed these 12 tips for the
holiday season why not be good to the climate for the
whole of 2006 by following our 12 tips for individual
action on global warming? |