Tips for a Green Holiday

Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle Your Way to a Healthier Planet

Dec 1, 2008

Follow these tips to make a difference this holiday season. You live green, so give green.

Surely you've heard about the three Rs: reduce, reuse, and recycle. With a bit of forethought, you can make decisions this holiday season that leave the planet happier.

Reduce.

Give gifts or memories that last. Buy fewer gifts this year, and make them count. Look for well-made, sturdy toys and presents that will last for years and can be handed down. Give gifts of your time-perhaps your friend could use your babysitting services, or a relative could use help around the house. Or give loved ones tickets to a play or concert, a state park pass, a dinner out, or gift certificates for massage, yoga, or cooking classes. A charitable donation is another great gift. Gifts of time or services have no negative environmental impact and are personal and thoughtful. Are you crafty? Give a homemade gift that shows off your talents at knitting, scrapbooking, or sewing. Or give baked goods packaged in reusable tins or baskets.
Let your LED lights shine. If you're in need of new holiday lights this year, consider LED lights. They use a whopping 90% less energy than conventional holiday lights and last 100 times longer. They cost more up front but will pay for themselves quickly.
Shop early. Do your online and catalog shopping early so that you can request ground shipping. Ground shipping is 6 times more efficient than overnight air shipping, saving fuel and pollution.

Reuse.

Wrap creatively. Reuse materials you already have on hand for gift wrapping. Save your child's artwork and use it to wrap gifts for family members. (Grandma will love it!) Or use old maps, sheet music, or comics. Involve the kids in a fun project making recycled paper out of newspaper or other scrap paper, then use it for wrapping or to make holiday cards. Use gift bags, baskets, or tins that can be reused again and again instead of throwaway wrappings. Or wrap a gift in a colorful scarf or festive dishtowel, which then becomes part of the present.
BYOB-Bring your own bag. Keep a compact bag in your purse or car for last minute shopping excursions.

Recycle.

Look for gift wrap and cards with recycled content. Every purchase you make of recycled paper saves trees from being cut down.
Entertain responsibly. Be sure to set out a receptacle for recyclables at your holiday get-togethers and alert guests about it.
Give your real Christmas tree new life. Move the tree outdoors in its stand to provide shelter for wild birds. Decorate the tree with bird-friendly treats like peanut butter and birdseed-covered cardboard "ornaments." Or if you know someone with a deep pond, sink the tree to provide habitat for fish and aquatic insects.

On one final note, a word about toys and safety.

Green means healthy for the planet, but what is good for Mother Nature is usually good for people too. In light of the rash of recent recalls due to unsafe lead content in Chinese-made toys, consider having a "Made-in-China-free" holiday. Choose toys made in Europe or the United States. This won't be an easy task: 85% of toys sold in the U.S. are made in China.

Have a happy, healthy, and green holiday!