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10 Tips for a Green Christmas

By admin ⋅ December 7, 2007 ⋅  Email This Post ⋅  Print This Post ⋅ Post a comment ⋅ 1,379 views

It’s that time of the year again, when everyone is giving presents, sending holiday cards and buying the classic Christmas tree. In numbers that will be 1 million Christmas cards that are thrown away every year, the lights for decorating a home produce carbon dioxide to inflate 12 balloons and 83 square kilometers of wrapping paper that is used one time then thrown away. Worrying facts? So why not have this year a green Christmas?

Here are 10 tips for an environmentally friendly, greener Christmas:

οChange your classic lights! LED lights last longer and use 80 to 90% less energy. The cost is basically the same but the οadvantages of using this type of lights will benefit both you and the environment. These cost around $10 per 12-ft. strand and they’re just like the ones your parents used to put up. If everyone did this, the savings would be enough to power 200,000 homes for a year.

οTurn off your light and electric devices when you’re not using them. Even in standby they consume 15% of household electricity. An excellent way of recycling energy would be using a solar powered rope light.

οAnother way to conserve energy is to use candles on those magic holiday nights. And if you want to go green, choose oy, vegetable wax or beeswax—all renewable and biodegradable materials.

οThis year, go creative and choose an innovative wrapping for your gifts. You can go for grocery bags that you can decorate yourself or posters from old magazines. There is also biodegradable ribbon made from cotton and soy-based inks that you can use for your presents. There is also recycled version of the traditional wrapping paper that you can buy online. If after all these ideas, you still want to use normal paper, be sure to recycled it for later use.

οThere’s no Christmas without a card to your family and friends, right? This year, you can go online and e-mail them a creative virtual card, make a photo album yourself and add holiday music and your own greeting.

οIf you thought an artificial Christmas tree might benefit the environment, then think again! The fakes one are petroleum based and non-biodegradable. The process of making them includes metal and derivatives of PVC and the by-products such as led harm both humans and the environment. Buy a potted tree that you can later plant in your garden and even use it again next year.

οMake your loved ones a surprise and offer them handmade gifts. These are more appreciated than conventional presents since they involve creativity and love. If you don’t have the talent or the time, support local artists and craftspeople by buying their products.

οOr think again! Do they really need more presents? Why not give them an experience? Try signing them up for a foreign language class, some hours of horseback riding, a massage or some art classes. An experience will last them a lifetime, truly a gift they will never forget.

οBuy organic meat for your family! Even thought they are a bit more expensive, you know they chicken or turkey has been reared in humane conditions and that they are tastier. You will enjoy a chemical-free food and give a little support to local farmers.

οThinking about throwing a party? Use real glasses and dishes instead of those disposable ones and go for cloth tablecloths instead of throwaways. You can also choose a bamboo tableware for festive occasions, made from 100% organically grown bamboo

Tags: christmas, environment, global warming, green, recycling