Earth Saving Tips
Courtesy of Earth Share of Washington member group, Union of Concerned Scientists
'Tis the season when our shopping and entertaining skyrocket - and with them, our environmental impact. From Thanksgiving through New Year's, we generate some 5 million more tons of trash than usual. Home energy use also rises in December by about 25% by some estimates. Here are some ways to cut the unnecessary waste, without cutting into your celebrations.
TREES
Those beautiful evergreens that light up many people's holidays - more than 30 million nationwide - become a major disposal problem afterwards, taking up space in already crowded landfills or polluting the air when incinerated. What to do? While artificial trees reduce the disposal problem, they are often made with environmentally damaging materials, such as PVC's, and cannot be recycled when they finally fall apart. There's no harm in using an artificial tree you already own, but don't run out to buy one. Instead, get a living, potted tree. After the holidays, you can plant it outdoors. Just be sure to dig a hole early - before the ground freezes. Small trees can be kept in the pot and used again the following year. You can also donate your living tree to a local park or school.
If you do get a cut tree, don't leave it at the curb when you're done with it. Ask city hall about tree recycling - your municipality may even require it. You can also chip the tree yourself and use it for mulch in your garden.
LIGHTS
Holiday lights use a lot of energy, especially when they're left on around the clock. So the first rule is to limit their use to the hours when you can actually enjoy them. In other words, turn them off when you go to bed and don't turn then on again until the next evening. Make it easy on yourself by putting them on a timer.
LED bulbs are your best choice. They use a tenth of the energy of mini-lights and a hundredth that of larger incandescent (C7) bulbs. Still, it might be worth asking yourself whether natural decorations, such as gingerbread cookies, candy canes, cranberries, popcorn strings, dried apple rings, and cinnamon sticks, might not be even nicer than electric lights and store-bought ornaments.
GIFTS
Gifts are lovely when they satisfy someone's desire, but too often miss the mark and end up in the back of the closet. If you don't know what a person likes or needs, consider a gift certificate instead. Consumer research shows that increasing numbers of people would prefer getting a certificate over a regular present. People who already have everything might appreciate a donation to a charity they support.
When you do purchase tangible gifts, get things that are durable and have long-term appeal. A toy that gives pleasure for just one day is a bad buy. Avoid presents made from tropical woods, like teak or mahogany, as well as things that come overly packaged.
WRAPPING AND CARDS
Try to cut back on your paper use. Send e-greetings to far-off friends and family instead of printed cards. Sign your name directly on gift boxes. Reuse last year's wrapping paper if you saved it, and save this year's for next. When buying new paper, make sure it's post-consumer recycled. Use just a ribbon for oversized gifts.
ENTERTAINING
When you have guests over, your impact is multiplied. Stick with real dishes and let others help with the clean-up. If you must use disposables, get paper if possible (recycled, of course). Use cloth napkins instead of paper. Cook organic foods. Avoid disposable cameras.
Here's to a happy holiday and a green new year!