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Small (green) steps to show you care
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Posted on Dec 03 2008
We’ve been talking about going green or being more earth-friendly this whole year. Thus, it’s also appropriate that as we celebrate the holiday season, we do so by demonstrating our commitment to be more caring to our precious natural resources and at the same time helping to make a positive change.
Did you know that from Thanksgiving to New Year’s Day, we generate more trash, as much as 25 percent, than other times of the year? This means, that our landfill—we only have one—will become home to tons and tons of waste in matter of weeks. We can help prevent this. Each of us can take small yet very meaningful steps to show we care, not just for the earth’s resources, but for our family’s future as well.
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Setting the holiday table… [/B]
– Bring out your favorite or special tableware, glassware, and cutlery instead of using disposables (i.e. Styrofoam plates).
– Cloth napkins convey elegance to a table (yes, even a picnic table with cloth napkins creates a festive atmosphere).
– Candles or energy-efficient bulbs for holiday lighting.
– Recycle soda cans, plastic bottles and packing materials.
[B]When shopping…[/B]
– Use your own bag rather than the plastic ones provided by stores.
– Instead of physical gifts, consider purchasing a service (memberships, restaurant certificates, movie tickets, spa certificates, etc.).
– Give gifts that help others. Make a donation to charity, arts or environmental organization – purchase it in their name.
– When purchasing gifts that are battery-operated, also purchase rechargeable batteries and a battery charger.
[B]Gifts ideas outside the box… [/B]– Wrap gifts with colorful newspaper “funnies,” candy wrappers or mail-order catalogs. If you’ve got more time, create personalized collages and get your children involved.
– Or can also choose to wrap your gifts with fabrics or unused cloth materials.
– Instead of bows and ribbons, attach pretty leaves or pinecones. [B][I](CoCo)[/I][/B] [I]Sources: www.epa.gov and www.treehugger.com[/I]
