Greener Holidays
By Shawn Dell Joyce
It’s hard not to feel Grinch-green during the holidays because of the rampant consumerism, waste, and emissions generated by all that shopping and gift giving. Here’s a few ways to green your holidays without being a Scrooge or Grinch.
Those lovely twinkling lights can generate as much global warming pollution as about 250,000 cars, according to Union of Concerned Scientists. That means that if you decorate your home and tree with 10 strands of 100 bulbs lit 8 hours a day from Thanksgiving to New Year’s, it can cost you up to $200. Powering the same amount of LED (Light Emitting Diode) mini lights would cost less than $10.
Why not donate all your old lights to Salvation Army, and invest in LED mini lights. Don’t balk at the higher cost of LED’s, you’ll get that money back on your electric bill. Generally, LED’s will pay for themselves in the first two years. An added benefit is there is less likelihood of fires because LED’s give off very little heat, and last up to 20 years.
Tinsel and plastic decorations are an environmental hazard. Most are made from plastics that cannot be recycled and may photodegrade when exposed to sunlight. That means that they break down into smaller and smaller particles that get absorbed into living things and wind up in our bodies. Skip the phthalate-laden plastics and use natural materials for decorations like popcorn and berry strings, cut-paper snowflakes and real greenery.
What you put under the tree is as important as what you put on the tree. Gift wrapping paper is costly, and often used only once before winding up in a landfill. Many of the shiny parts of gift wrap are environmental hazards. Consider buying recycled gift wrap, or better yet, make your own. Paper grocery bags turned inside out make sturdy wrapping paper that can be decorated with real holly, straw, and other natural materials. Putting unwrapped gifts in reusable tote bags instead of gift bags is giving two gifts in one.
Emailing cards is the greenest way to send holiday greetings. Homemade cards or cards printed on 100 percent recycled paper are the next best. Opt for cards with an enclosed coupon or gift certificate instead of mailing bulky gifts to far-flung relations. Bulky gifts take much more gas to deliver and generate more emissions in the process.
When entertaining for the holidays, plan seasonal menus and cook what is available locally in your area, even if it takes a little extra effort and money. This reduces the “food miles” your ingredients travel and generates less greenhouse gases. If you are a guest, bring a bottle of local wine or a dessert from a local baker. When you buy from local food producers, you spread the wealth locally, and get an interesting story to tell at the dinner table.
Shawn Dell Joyce is a nationally-syndicated newspaper columnist and director of the Wallkill RIver School in Montgomery. Shawn@zestoforange.com
