SOMETHING SMELLS
By Tina M. Monfort
Ah, the holidays... everything seems a little bit shinier, brighter and — trashier? There are lots of ways everyone can do to reduce waste and recycle more this Christmas season. It will be a busy period for all of us, but making your Christmas GREEN need not be a chore.
Here’s how:
MUST TIP! Keep your reusable bags with you all the time.
* Treat someone to an “experience present” such as fitness/wellness coupons for the gym (perfect for shedding off those extra pounds gained from all the holiday eats), yoga or the spa; driving lesson or just a trip to a concert or the beauty salon. These are very personal gifts and don’t come surrounded by stacks of packaging!
* If you must buy Christmas presents, keep an eye out for recycled and reusable products or gifts that promote lifestyle changes friendly to the environment (i.e. reusable bags, biodegradable and organic items)
* Be practical as well as thoughtful and creative. Purchase gifts that are long-lasting or that can be reused and later recycled. Avoid “gag gifts” - they quickly become trash.
* Buy living gifts like house plants, garden seeds or potted trees that can be transplanted. Oh so good for the environment!
* Bake or cook for someone you love 12 days before Christmas - one dish for each day or for anyone you know who would appreciate the help. Make sure to put them in reusable food containers.
* Buy rechargeable batteries for electronic presents.
* Teach children the value of charity. Arrange a trip to the orphanage where they can donate their ‘old’ toys, books and clothes.
* Prevent card waste by sending e-cards to friends and family. If you receive paper cards, don’t forget to recycle them. Cut the picture side of the card off and reuse it as a postcard next Christmas. Nice!
* Make your own gift wrap from brown paper bags, newspaper, colored comic pages or old maps. These can look GREAT! Try some raffia twine bows or paper ribbons.
* Make lovely, reusable gift sacks from cloth material you have lying around. Fold material in half and sew up one bottom and the other side leaving the top open or simply use a bandana cloth which can simply be washed and reused.
* If you are buying new wrapping paper, think before you buy - heavily foiled, glittery papers and foil bows and ribbons can’t be recycled, so avoid these. Look out for recycled wrapping paper. Decorate with something fresh from your garden.
REMEMBER: Paper can’t be recycled if it still has sticky tape on.
With Christmas day just around the corner, food comes to mind as well. Here are some GREEN tips to remember:
* When buying your fruits and vegetables, buy them “nude” (without the packaging). This helps you buy only what you need and reduces the amount of packaging in your bin.
* Compost all your fruit and vegetable peelings and leftovers. You will have enough to make your garden bloom.
* Buy drinks in large bottles rather than lots of smaller ones.
* For gatherings - at home, in school or in the office, use cloth napkins, silverware, glass drinking cups and ceramic coffee mugs, and reusable plates rather than disposable plastic dinnerware, cups, and plastic products.
And lastly, make a New Years resolution to recycle more things, more often! Hope shines!
December 5 : Eco-friendly Gift Suggestions.*
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