|
 ccording to the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF),
the greenbacks you spend on gifts this holiday season can also
make the world a greener place. If you follow some basic guidelines,
the gifts you buy will bring joy to friends, relatives, and to
Mother Nature.
 "If
a tree is part of your celebration, buy one that can be replanted
in your yard. If you can't replant your tree, compost it after
the holidays, along with wreaths and other 'live' decorations,"
said EDF policy analyst Elizabeth Sturcken. "It's not too
late to start a compost pile. Check with your local hardware
store or gardening center for information, or check out municipal
composting options. Another alternative is an artificial tree,
many of which will last for years. If you decorate a tree, try
to minimize the size, number and use of electric lights. You
can use edible decorations like popcorn and cranberry strings
which can be fed to birds after the holiday."
Sturcken recommends
giving holiday cards made from recycled paper, and using reusable
or recyclable wrapping paper. "When giving someone a gift,
skip the card and sign your name right on the box. A gift has
the same value if it is wrapped in newspaper or cloth instead
of wrapping paper made of bleached and heavily dyed paper. Recycling
newspaper and reusing cloth can make holiday cleanup a breeze.
Use the comics for kids or the arts section for your favorite
artist. If you are mailing gifts, use newspaper or real popcorn
instead of plastic foam peanuts for cushioning," said Sturcken.
Gifts that
help reduce environmental impacts include household goods like
plants, reusable napkins or reusable canvas shopping bags. Try
giving something a little less material but a lot more fun, like
home-baked goods or movie tickets. Educational items like nature
books or memberships to environmental groups make good gifts
as well.
Finally, look
for gifts that are: durable; not over-packaged; energy efficient;
recycled (for example, antiques or used bikes); recyclable; and
not made of tropical woods like teak, rosewood or mahogany. Toys
that wind up or use rechargeable batteries are also environmentally
friendly.
If you are
planning a holiday party or open house, try not to use disposable
utensils, plates, napkins or tablecloths. If you have a lot of
extra food, donate it to a shelter. Also, make sure your guests
recycle beverage containers and compost food scraps.
Gift buyers
can help reduce traffic and air pollution by minimizing the amount
of driving they do. EDF recommends going shopping by public transportation.
Shoppers should try to combine car trips, or carpool with family,
friends and neighbors.
"Most
of all, use this holiday to think about your everyday habits
and actions to reduce waste 365 days a year. Individual actions
can make a huge difference in our future," said Sturcken.
|
