Simple Ways to Protect the Earth This Holiday Season

"No one person has to do it all, but if each one of us follows our heart and our own inclinations we will find the small things that we can do to create a sustainable future and a healthy environment." - John Denver

The holidays can represent a warm, magical time of year in which we show our appreciation of each other through celebrations and gift-giving. Unfortunately, however, it can also become a time of overconsumption, wastefulness and an increased strain on the environment. But with a little innovation and commitment, this holiday season can become an opportunity to create new holiday traditions that help protect the environment not only for this holiday season, but for generations to come. The EcoMall offers the following ways consumers can "go green" and enrich their festivities this holiday season :

• Get a live, replantable tree. A live, potted tree can serve your holiday needs and then beautify your yard for years into the future. A live tree provides an ongoing remembrance of the holidays, as well as cleans our air and helps protect the planet from global warming. The tree will survive indoors for about a week with ample watering, and then when you're ready, transplant it outside in a spot you have already prepared, or donate it to a school, park or community center. If you choose a cut tree, create a bird sanctuary by placing it outdoors for birds to nest in till spring, when it will make great mulch, or make sure it is recycled or composted rather than thrown into a landfill. And by all means, avoid artificial trees. Artificial trees are petroleum based, wasteful products.

• Minimize waste when packaging and wrapping gifts. The point of a gift is the gift itself, while excess packaging and wrapping products just become part of the waste stream. Consumers can reduce waste by buying unpackaged and minimally-packaged gifts and toys, and then finding creative ways to decorate and wrap their gifts. Gifts can be wrapped in fabric gift bags, baskets or reusable tins, which can be used for storage or future gifts for years to come. For larger gifts, hide them in another room, cover with a sheet or blanket and then leave a card with clues or a riddle as to their whereabouts. If you must wrap, wrap your presents in the Sunday comics which accomplishes all three 'R's' -- you reduce by not buying wrapping paper, you reuse, and its easy to recycle the paper after the presents are opened. You can also use leftover fabric, lightweight wallpaper, and colorful scarves to wrap presents. Alternatively, buy wrapping paper and holiday cards with post-consumer recycled content, which "closes the loop," and helps create a market for recyclables. When opening presents, you can carefully fold and save wrapping paper, boxes, tins, ribbons and bows for use for next year. Look for holiday cards made of recycled materials, or send an electronic, paper-less greeting card. Avoid using foam plastic packaging; newspaper and popcorn make great packing material, as well as biodegradable packing peanuts, which are available from most office, supply outlets.

• Be creative when decorating: The greenest holiday decorations are those you make yourself, such as stringing popcorn and cranberries together, or get the kids involved making the decorations out of leftover construction paper or last year's holiday cards. Better yet, let your children discover what nature has to offer: take a walk with them around your backyard to find decorative items such as pinecones, leaves, berries, and flowers (Many natural decorations have the added plus of being compostable after the holidays!). Don't use disposable Mylar plastic tinsel, and instead look for old-fashioned, reusable tin tinsel. If you are going to use traditional decorations, store and re-use your decorations from year to year or trade with friends and family. When decorating the tree, minimize the size and amount of electric lights to save energy. Avoid spray snow, which contains toxic chemicals; opt instead for homemade paper snowflake cutouts.

• Think green when giving: The holiday season is a wonderful opportunity to use your consumer dollars to support companies and products which are better for the environment, which sends a powerful economic message. Look for gifts that are made of natural components, such as organically grown cotton or hemp, especially when shopping for items such as clothing, bedding and towels. Be on the lookout for products that are recyclable or have recycled content. When buying appliances or products like computers, look for the Energy Star label, which ensures it is energy efficient. When purchasing toys for young children, buy dolls and stuffed animals made of organic cotton, or handcrafted toys made from natural wood. Make sure to avoid toys and teethers made from vinyl plastic containing PVC components, which is a health hazard and pollutes the environment. Another great gift idea is a plant or tree, which cleans the air, beautifies our living space and lasts throughout the year. Gifts can also be things to do, not just things to have - an example would be a gift certificate to a yoga or fitness class, or for services like massages, theater and museum tickets, or memberships to a zoo or nature center. You can also give creative gift "coupons" for services such as babysitting, raking, weeding or cooking. Consider also a priceless, personalized gift of your mind and spirit, such as writing a poem or song, making a collage or other arts and crafts projects, or putting together a family book. Other great ideas are gifts that introduce the recipient to environmentally-friendly products which help them become greener (such as rechargeable batteries, compact fluorescent light bulbs), a membership in an environmental organization or a donation to a favorite charity in the recipient's name.

• Entertain green: The holiday season often calls for lots of family get-togethers and big meals. Try to avoid disposables when entertaining and instead set your table with china, silverware, glasses and cloth napkins. There will be less paper consumption and less to throw out plus you can establish new traditions for next year. Buy snacks and beverages in bulk, which produces less package waste. When preparing meals, buy organic produce, which reduces your exposure to toxic pesticides, and supports sustainable non-polluting agriculture. Recycling cans, glass, cardboard, paper and plastic is especially important during this time since such a huge amount of waste is generated. Food leftovers can be donated to a shelter.

• Do your shopping online (thus eliminating the pollution from car travel or the waste of paper catalogues). You'll save energy and reduce your own stress levels by not driving back and forth to various shopping malls. Shopping on the Internet for gifts that were going to be shipped anyway can eliminate a considerable amount of energy consumption and air pollution. Transportation can be reduced to simply shipping the gift from the factory to the gift recipient. Here at the EcoMall web site we features hundreds of earth-friendly companies offering everything from organic and hemp clothing, natural toys and crafts, organic food products and more.

• Keep it green. Make an early New Year's resolution: Commit to maintaining your green habits even after the holidays. With a little innovation and commitment, you and your family can keep giving gifts to the earth all year long.

  
  

  "In our every deliberation, we should consider the impact of our decisions on the next seven generations." - From The Great Law of the Iroquois Indian Federation

  Other HOLIDAY FEATURES AT THE ECOMALL:

• It's Easy Being Green This Holiday Season at the EcoMall
• EcoMall.com Offers the Internet's Largest Green Gift Guide

  
  

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