Now that Thanksgiving is over, turkey eaten, football watched and naps taken, it is time to focus our attention on the holidays still to come this year. For many people, this time of year is about parties, food, gifts and excess in general, in addition to friends and family of course. But have you ever stopped to think about what is left over from those things? Along with our gluttonous habits come wasted food, increased trash, obsolete electronics and a much higher energy bill from all those pretty blinking lights. This year, take some time to consider how your holidays affect the environment and your wallet and make some changes that will benefit both.
Christmas Trees
Have you still not taken a side on the debate of real v. artificial trees? This year, consider the environmental impacts along with your other factors. The National Christmas Tree Association has come down on the side of real trees being the more eco-friendly choice, based on factors including origin, method of production, chemicals and disposal. Purchasing a locally grown Christmas tree can cut down even further on transport costs and associated pollution. Have any trees in your yard? Why not decorate those instead of one inside your house? You can still enjoy the tradition without the negative environmental impacts. If you decide that a real tree is the way to go, make sure to look for a local tree recycling facility after the holidays.
Holiday Lights
Keeping lights off when you’re not around is an easy green tip for the rest of the year, but what about those holiday lights strewn on the rooftop, mantle, or tree? According to HGTV, “if you leave a set of conventional Christmas tree lights on in your home for 10 hours a day over the 12 days of Christmas, you'll produce enough carbon dioxide — one of the main greenhouse gases — to inflate 64 party balloons. Outdoor lights tend to use even more energy, since they are usually high-wattage and, therefore, less energy-efficient.” Those old lights are likely to be harmful to the environment as well as your electric bill. This year, invest in new LED lights or energy-saving light bulbs for decorating and celebrate the fact that if one bulb burns out, the rest of the string won’t go out with it!
Gifts
Fortunately or unfortunately, the holiday season happens to involve a tremendous amount of gift-giving for most people. Whether you prefer giving or receiving, that’s a lot of “stuff” and even more wrapping paper and ribbon to cover up the “stuff.” According to Robert Lilienfeld, author of Use Less Stuff: Environmental Solutions for Who We Really Are, between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day, Americans throw away a million extra tons (900,000 metric tons) of garbage each week, including holiday wrapping and packaging. This year, try some non-conventional wrapping methods, like the newspaper you receive anyway, a fabric scrap you have in your craft closet, or, don’t wrap things at all. If some of the gifts you give or receive include new electronics, make sure to recycle or donate the older models, whether they’re working or not. If finding that perfect gift has been elusive for you in the past, try an “experience” or “event” gift. Memories from that cooking class or concert won’t end up in the landfill.
As we begin the holiday season and wrap up 2011, encourage your family and friends to contribute to a more eco-friendly and green holiday and challenge yourself to make environmentally-friendly decisions. Most of these changes are easy and inexpensive, and many will even save you money. Once you see how easy and beneficial green choices are to make, consider making one of your New Year’s Resolutions to lead a more eco-friendly life in 2012!
