Thursday, December 16, 2010

Let's have a GREENER holiday!


Here are some tips that can help make this holiday the greenest one ever!

  • Gift Cards are one of the greenest presents you can give. There’s no wrapping paper, no shipping costs, and no gas wasted driving all over town for the gift. It’s a quick, easy and convenient way to do your holiday shopping.
  • ‘Tis the season to take out those reusable bags.  If you’re headed out to the mall for some holiday shopping don’t forget to take along a reusable shopping bag and you’ll help reduce the number of single-use, disposable bags distributed by retailers.
  • Put old holiday cards to use. Used cards, especially those with large pictures to cut out, can also be used as decorations. Just put a hole at the top of the card and knot a piece of string or lace through the hole to hang on next year’s Christmas tree, or door handles another example would be making a holiday wreath out of old greetings cards.
  • For those of you getting a tree this year- Remember to recycle trees locally or reuse branches to make colorful holiday wreaths and separate the pine needles from tree branches to create tree-scented sachet bags.
  • Want a more festive looking tree? Did you know that the sprayed-on artificial snow (also known as flocking) can be made from environmentally harmful components and take away the ability to recycle a Christmas tree. For more Earth-friendly artificial snow, sprinkle on some baking powder.
  • The end of the year is the perfect time to get rid of unwanted cell phones, outgrown toys, clothes and furniture. Try to donate to charitable groups like Goodwill Industries and The Salvation Army. A lot of local charities have there own thrift stores and are always looking for donated items. Why throw away something useful when you can give it to someone who needs it?
  • Recycle old holiday lights, broken or burned-out holiday lights by mailing them to Christmas Light Source Recycling Program. The bulbs will be recycled, and proceeds will be used to purchase books for the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation in the Dallas-Ft. Worth area. You’ll also get a coupon to save 10 percent on a future order of replacement bulbs.
  • Buy Reusable Batteries. About 40 percent of all battery sales occur during the holiday season. In 2006 alone, more than 40 billion single-use batteries were sold worldwide. Consider purchasing rechargeable batteries instead; they can be used again and again.
  • Recycle Packing Peanuts. Check with local postal shipping stores to see if they will accept foam peanuts for recycling. Call “The Peanut Hot-line” at 800-828-2214 to find the nearest location.

I hope these tips come in handy this holiday season. If everyone continues to do their part this year we can truly make a difference.