So here it goes… "Twelve Green Tips for the Holidays"
- Have you ever heard of “treecycling” your tree? Once your decorations are off and you’re trying not to get too many pine needles in your carpet, think “what can this tree do next?” How about using it for mulching or composting? Click here for more information on where/how to recycle your tree. Be sure to check with members of your community solid waste department to find out if they collect and mulch trees.
- Fiber optic trees and decorations are the ultimate in energy efficiency. In most cases, they use a single light bulb located in the base of the unit to light the entire decoration – now that's energy smart and budget smart.
- Limit the time holiday lights are on. Wait until dark to turn on your Christmas lights and turn them off before you go to bed. Make your goal six hours or less of daily use. Afraid you’ll forget? Set a timer & forget about it!
- When ordering merchandise online or for shipment, request the use of recycled packaging material (recycled paper, bamboo, or corn plastics) – these products biodegrade when composted. Specifically request no Styrofoam, which is made with petroleum, a non-sustainable and heavily polluting product. If you receive a gift stuffed with Styrofoam, find a company that will reuse it.
- Having guests? Turn down the heat a little. Encourage layered dressing and let your guests know that you’re green conscious. Remember, by changing the temperature by 2 degrees all year, you can save about 2,000 pounds of CO2 a year.
- Plan your shopping trips carefully. Make one trip to the mall instead of three, which will save gas. Walking to stores or carpooling with friends is even better. Another way to reduce fuel consumption is to buy locally; shopping in your hometown supports the local merchants and strengthens the community, and it cuts fuel use if you walk to town.
- There’s no way you can reuse holiday cards, right? Wrong! Remove the back and create a postcard. Or, use the card as a gift tag for gift giving next year.
- Take your own bags on shopping trips. Keep them in the car so they’re ready whenever you stop at a store.
- Need party snacks and beverages? Buy in bulk to avoid extra packaging.
- Turn it off! Common misconceptions sometimes account for the failure to turn off equipment. Many people believe that equipment lasts longer if it is never turned off. This incorrect perception carries over from the days of older mainframe computers.
- Have a large family with a lot of gifts to wrap? Try creating a treasure map for the kids to find their gifts.
- Green your holiday travel! If you are one of the many people planning to log a lot of travel miles this holiday season, don't forget to look into green options for getting around.
