Editor's Note: Earth 911 is one of our go-to sites for tips on recycling and referring folks who need tips. Check out all their recycling and green ideas at www.earth911.org.
Tis the season to give, celebrate and renew. It only takes a small commitment to protect the environment. Here are some simple ways you can make a difference this holiday season:
Gifts/Gift Wrap
Bows, bags, fabrics, newspaper comics, magazines and decorative boxes can be used for gift wrap. These items can also be used for holiday décor, and reused every year. If you don’t feel like reusing your wrapping for gifts, run it through a paper shredder and use the result as colorful packing material.
If you get gifts mailed to you, make sure you aren’t throwing away the box and plastic packaging. Cardboard can be recycled in many curbside programs or at centers, and plastic peanuts can also be reused by shipping stores. Use Earth 911’s recycling locator at the top of this page to find out the location nearest you to recycle these.
Trees
There will always be a debate as to which are more Earth friendly: real Christmas trees or fake ones. On the one hand, fake trees are reusable and cut down on the emissions produced when you drive to the Christmas tree farm every year.
However, fake trees are often made with polyvinyl chloride (PVC), which not is a non-renewable, petroleum-derived plastic that pollutes neighborhoods near the factories it is produced. These trees also contain traces of lead, which is why the trees may have a warning saying not to inhale any dust from the tree.
Earth 911 recommends real Christmas trees, so long as you recycle them after the holidays. You can find local treecycling centers through Earth 911 and the National Christmas Tree Association. Remember to not use tinsel or spray your tree with fake snow, as tinsel and white trees cannot be recycled.
Another option is to use a live, uncut tree with roots intact that can be planted in your yard after the holidays.
Ornaments/Cards
Make ornaments at home with items you may normally recycle (e.g. paper towel cardboard rolls, toothpicks or popsicle sticks, old calendar pictures, old Christmas wrap). Old holiday cards can also be used as ornaments or for holiday décor.
Speaking of cards, one environmentally-friendly approach is to create new cards by cutting the picture off. With the ever popular use of computers, try sending E-cards so you will save paper.
Energy
The holidays fall during winter, when temperatures are colder depending on your location. Energy consumption is higher in the winter as a result, but keeping a watchful eye on how much you are using will pay dividends for your carbon footprint and your pocketbook.
Use a timer on your holiday lights to avoid keeping lights on all night; you can save a lot of energy this way. Also keep an eye on your thermostat, as only a few degrees of temperature can make the difference in both the environment and your electric bill. Lower your thermostat when you are not home to save more energy.
The holidays are also a time for large dinner parties and lavish feasts. When cooking with your oven, don’t open and close the door to constantly check on your food, as the temperature will drop 25 degrees each time you do. The same thing happens in reverse when you leave the refrigerator open while you are unloading ingredients.
Other Useful Tips
Use dishes, silverware and cloth napkins instead of disposable utensils and paper products. Avoid wasting food by cooking only the amount of food necessary. Visit other Earth 911 sections to learn more.
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