Over the Xmas season, the western world generates a lot more rubbish than at other times of the year. Here's a series of tips to help you reduce your upcoming Xmas impact on the environment.
1. Shop online. Sometimes online retailers will have better pricing than bricks and mortar stores, plus you'll save fuel in travelling from store to store, time and stress! Items purchased online are often shipped straight from the factory to you, so it can also cut down on the overall freight impact.
2. When heading out to do your Christmas shopping, take your own reusable bags rather than using the plastic ones provided by stores.
3. When purchasing gifts, try and think "earth-friendly" and socially conscious every step of the way; from the product itself to the packaging. If you buy green gifts, make a special effort to let the person know of its environmental benefit as you may just help set the receiver on the path to a greener life; or at least sow the seeds. This doesn't mean buying items the person may not need or want, but consider the person's interests and look for a green angle. For example, a lot of athletes are trying to go green, so why not get them some earth-friendly shirts.
4. All of us have likely received gifts in the past that we had no use for and we've just stashed them away. It's a waste of money and resources. Instead of taking a risk if you're not sure what a person wants, consider purchasing a gift card - that way they'll get what they really want or need. Some retailers are even offering earth friendly gift cards now made from bioplastic! Also consider re-gifting items you may have received in the past but have never used.
5. Instead of buying physical gifts, consider purchasing a service or tickets to a concert or movie.
6. Make a donation to a charity, developing world or environmental project as a gift for someone else. Does the person you are buying for really need another pair of socks? Instead of giving them a gift they can use, buy them a gift that goes to another needy person or organization - purchase it in their name. Many organizations provide this option now. To my way of thinking, this is the perfect gift because it gives to so many. You could purchase seed that will go to a third world farming family, wheelchairs for the disabled, chickens for a community, trees for damaged land - the possibilities are endless.
7. Battery operated items are a hugely popular as gifts. I shudder to think how many single use batteries are consumed on Christmas day and the following weeks as kids (and adults) put their new toys through their paces. In 2006, 40 billion single-use batteries were sold worldwide! As part of your gift buying, purchase rechargeable batteries and a battery charger - these are quite economical items to buy these days and will save you a ton of money in the long run.
8. Thousands of tons of Christmas cards are purchased each holiday season. The mind boggles to think of how many trees are destroyed in the process. Try to purchase cards made from recycled paper and after the holiday season, if you decide not to keep the cards you receive, recycle them. Another idea worth considering is to offset the paper consumption is to plant a tree every year. Or, send electronic Christmas cards this year. No paper, no fuss, no stamps!
9. Christmas wrapping creates the same sort of issues as cards, but there are some added environmental dangers with metallic and plastic type wrapping. Aside from taking a long time to decompose, these types of wraps give off toxic gases when burned. Look for plainer wraps made from recycled paper, wrap gifts in scarves, place in baskets etc.
10. Purchase a live tree to use as a Christmas tree - and it doesn't have to be the traditional fir. There are no laws against using another species as creative Christmas tress. After Xmas is over, plant the tree in your yard.
11. If you're going to purchase Christmas tree lights this year; consider buy LED tree light sets - they'll last far longer and use a great deal less electricity.
12. Use a timer for your external lighting decorations; again, a huge electricity saver.
13. Tree decorations can be made from gingerbread and strings of edible items such as berries or popcorn - much tastier than plastic and far less environmental impact! It can be great fun for the kids too. And, when the season is over, hang them outside for the birds to eat.
14. Xmas day is a rubbish-fest. Before the gift opening and feasting begins, have boxes or bins set up for different types of rubbish - cans, bottles, paper etc. This will make your job easier at the end of the day and minimize the amount of recyclables heading for landfill. Also, recycle bows and ribbons for next year.
Care to share some more tips for making the holiday season more earth friendly? Please add them below :).
