As we move into December and the holiday season, we find ourselves out shopping for the perfect gifts for our family and friends. The following are a few helpful hints as you prepare for the holiday season:
1) Don’t forget your reusable bags: Whether you are heading out to the grocery store or hitting up the mall, don’t forget to bring your reusable bags for your purchases. This will minimize the plastic bag waste that is created.
2) Opt for cloth bags, recycled newspaper or recycled wrapping paper: Festive holiday cloth bags are a great way to wrap your family’s gifts. Not only does this create less waste, but it makes wrapping gifts quick and easy. Recycled wrapping paper is also now available at various locations at a reasonable price. Zellers carries a green line, Holiday Joy, which includes wrapping paper ($2.99/roll or 3 smaller roles for $4.99), tissue paper, bags, boxes, ribbons and gift tags made from recycled fibres. Staples and Chapters also carry these types of products. Otherwise, use newspaper, old gift bags, comics or magazines to wrap up your gifts.
3) Send e-cards or cards made from recycled fibres: If you love to send out holiday cards to friends and family, consider sending e-cards or purchasing cards made from recycled materials. Wal-Mart carries a line of recycled cards called GreenRoom (50% recycled materials) for just $5 for a box of 16 cards and envelopes. Chapters also has a wide variety of these types of cards (50-100% recycled materials) but at a much higher cost. Plantable cards are also available at select locations for about $5/card. These cards allow the recipients to actually plant the card in their garden and watch it grow wildflowers.
4) Charge your batteries: Ensure that those rechargeable batteries are charged and ready throughout the holiday season. Whether batteries are needed for your child’s new toy or your camera to capture those memories, opt for rechargeable batteries instead of those disposable ones that contain harmful toxins.
5) Avoid disposable plates, cutlery and cups during the holidays: If you are hosting a party, use real plates, cutlery and cups. You may have more of a mess to clean up in the end, but it is much less of a mess then what would be caused to our environment. Plastics may take up to 500 years to break down in our landfills.
6) Real Christmas Trees versus Fake Christmas Trees: Purchase Real Trees that are grown on tree farms. These trees are planted and harvested, just as corn is cultivated and harvested. For each Real Tree that is harvested, up to three new seedlings are planted. Fake Trees often contain harmful toxins and, when disposed, do not break down easily in our landfills. The City of Brantford and the Counties of Brant, Haldimand and Norfolk all collect Christmas trees and uses them for chipping. Contact your local municipal office to find out how and when yours can be recycled.
7) Decorate your home with natural ornaments: Use holly, evergreen, cranberries, popcorn and fruit in order to decorate your house. These objects can all be placed in the compost and break down easier than their plastic counterparts.
Give a Green Gift: Consider homemade gifts – like baking cookies or treats, a jar of bath salts, a blanket, decoupaged items, or other crafts. Otherwise, consider green gifts such as: a stainless steel water bottle, reuseable bags, bamboo or organic cotton clothing, a home energy saving kit or a charitable donation.
9) Buy Local: Try to purchase items from local independent stores instead of those big box stores. Also, take advantage of the local year round farmers markets to purchase your turkey and vegetables
10) Remember to Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. Have a wonderful, safe and green holiday season.
