Wow, it is already December! Holiday season is upon us. Whether it is Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanza, the New Year, or another holiday that you are celebrating, December is a month of giving, sharing, and consumption. From Thanksgiving to New Years Day, in the United States we add an additional 1 million tons of garbage waste per week. Food waste, shopping bags, packaging, and transportation all contribute to a 25% increase in household waste this month. Fortunately, there is an opportunity to look out for the environment this year as green ideas are popping up every step of the way. Shopping, traveling, hosting, eating, and even socializing can provide an eco-friendly alternative. Think green this holiday season—it’s worth it.
Shopping
• Begin by shopping online. It can be easier, less stressful, and more time-efficient to find green gift ideas on the Internet than to go from store to store. Online shopping also cuts down on the transportation energy used when making the shopping commute. Often times, the items purchased online are shipped directly from the factory to you so it cuts down on the overall freight footprint. You will find a list of resources below to aid you in finding the perfect green holiday gifts online.
• If you must make a trip to the stores, plan ahead. Come up with a plan of where you want to shop and what you will need to make your commute as minimal as possible. Bring reusable bags with you to cut down on the waste from disposable plastic or paper bags.
Decorating
• Make your own decorations! Reuse last year’s decorations or get creative with things you already have at home. Old glass jars can make great candleholders, cookie cutters or old toys can make fun ornaments, or natural products from your backyard can offer a more rustic décor.
• Find an alternative to conventional wrapping paper. You can get creative by reusing magazines, old artwork, old linens, and so on to wrap your gifts. Also try giving your gifts in a fabric tote bag that can be used throughout the year. There are also many options for finding 100% recycled gift wrap paper that uses soy-based ink, click here to see an example.
• Buy energy saving LED holiday lights. It has been estimated that LED lights will save your household at least $50 during the holiday season. LED lights are now available at many major retailers, including Target, CostCo, and Ace Hardware.
• Use recycled holiday ornaments. If you are not up for making them yourself, there are many vendors selling 100% recycled ornaments. Some cool ideas can be found at the Great Green Goods. Or just stick with what you’ve got, tradition is always a good thing!
• Buy an eco-friendly Christmas tree and recycle it! Greeniacs offers a great guide for picking the right tree, “Christmas Tree Guide Getting Eco-Friendly“. To avoid having your tree be one of the 30 million making it to the landfill this year, check with earth911.com to find a tree-recycling program near you.
Giving
The art of giving is one of the most important aspects of the holiday season, and it is also one of the most significant ways to spread a green message. Not only is it important for you to buy green during the holidays, it is also equally as important for you to request green gifts on your wish list. Due to the large volume of green holiday gift options, below are some green gift guides to help you find the perfect gift:
• Inhabitat’s 2008 Green Gift Guide. You can find gifts for him & her, Mom & Dad, children, pets, gadgets, stocking stuffers, do-it-yourself ideas, etc.
• Really Natural’s 2008 Eco-Friendly Holiday Gift Guide. They offers ideas for babies & kids, beauty products, energy saving gadgets, and fashion.
• The Daily Green Holiday Gift Guide. They offer the season’s best sustainable and non-toxic gifts for everyone!
• Coalition on the Environment and Jewish Life Green Gift Guide. Offers ideas for Hanukkah and greening your holiday season.
• Greeniacs Green Gift ideas for the Office. Provides ideas for eco-friendly gifts to give to your co-workers, but could also be used for friends and family.
Hosting or Traveling
• If possible, stay at home during the holidays! This will reduce emissions and excess energy consumption from your vehicle.
• Travel wisely. Walk, bike, or use public transportation if possible. If you must drive, make sure your tires are inflated properly and carpool if possible. If flying, buy carbon credits to offset your flight emissions.
• Turn down your thermostat. If you are hosting people this month, they will add extra heat to your home. Also, if you have a fireplace-use it! By adjusting your thermostat down 5 degrees, you can save about 10% on your energy bill.
• Do an energy saving checklist. Sierra Club offers a great home walk through tour to give you pointers on how to save some energy this holiday season: sierraclub.org.
• Turn off your lights! Use natural light as much as possible or you can rely on candles or your LED decorations for light.
Eating
• Use cloth napkins and reusable/washable plates, cups, and utensils to reduce paper and plastic waste. If you need to buy new ones, go vintage! And if you must use disposable products, look for ones that can be recycled or composted.
• Buy organic and local. Organic products will reduce the amount of pesticides, fertilizers, and hormones in your meal and the environment. Supporting locally grown food will reduce your carbon footprint by minimizing excess manufacturing, transportation, and packaging in your meal. You can find local and organic food close to you by typing in your zip code at localharvest.org.
• Go vegetarian! Because animals require more land, water, and waste to produce than vegetables and grains, going vegetarian is sure way to reduce your Thanksgiving footprint.
Socializing
• Talk about the environment this holiday season. Sierra Club offers an excellent resource for the lone environmentalist at a holiday gathering: sierraclub.org.
