Go Green This Holiday Season
Recycle Packaging, Combine Shipping Trips to Conserve Energy
During the holidays, Americans throw away 38,000 miles of ribbon, chop down 33 million Christmas trees, buy 2.65 billion holiday cards and consume 27 percent more electricity, according to the Sierra Club.
“Reducing what you use this Christmas season and helping someone else be green are good gifts for the earth and for our future,” local activist Relena Meyers said.
Meyers is the organizer of Go Green Kearney, a new community group working to educate the public about ways they can reduce their environmental effect.
“When I’m thinking about Christmas and my own family, just recycling is important,” Meyers said.
Recycling all the packaging and wrapping paper gifts come in is important, she said. Many toys or electronics come in cardboard and plastic packaging that end up in landfills.
This year, Meyers bought wrapping paper from thrift stores and won’t buy any new gift-wrap.
She said opening gifts gently will help save the paper for next year.
When shopping, Meyers said carpooling and planning ahead will help reduce carbon emissions.
“I’m planning on doing all my shopping in one place so I’m not making extra trips,” she said.
Reducing the amount of shopping we do is also a good idea, she said.
When giving gifts Meyers suggests helping people go green.
Energy-saving light bulbs or electrical outlets would make useful gifts that will help people make positive changes in their homes.
Rain barrels, which collect and store rainwater and cost between $100 and $200, would also make good gifts for those wanting to conserve, Meyers said.
“Giving back to our earth is always a good thing, and it’s a good way to give this Christmas season,” she said.
Make your Holidays greener
1. Make your own wrapping paper. Mass-produced wrapping paper is not recyclable and ends up in landfills. Wrap presents with old maps, newspapers or children’s artwork.
2. Buy energy-saving LED holiday lights. They use 90 percent less energy than conventional holiday lights, so you could save your family up to $50 on your energy bills this holiday season.
3. Recycle your Christmas tree. Each year, 10 million trees end up in landfills. The city of Kearney has drop-off sites, and the trees will be collected and taken to the landfill to be made into wood chips.
4. Give thoughtful gifts. Being thoughtful about gifts ensures that whatever gift we give will be appreciated and used, rather than ending up in a landfill. If you receive a gift you can’t use, pass it on to someone who can or donate it.
5. Choose gifts that use fewer resources. Gifts that are recycled or reusable such as antiques, collectibles and other pre-owned items are environmentally friendly because no further resources were used to make them. Also, choose gifts that are organically grown such as wine made from organically grown grapes. Make handmade gifts or give experiences rather than material goods.
6. Buy organic or locally grown food for your holiday meal. Organic food uses less of pesticides, and locally grown food doesn’t have to travel as far to reach your plate, reducing its environmental effect.
7. Plan shopping trips in advance so you don’t make extra trips to the mall or grocery store. This will save you gas and cut down on pollution.
8. Send holiday greetings to family and friends via e-mail. If you prefer to send hand-written notes, make your own using paper you already have or look for recycled paper. Avoid using bright red and green paper, which is difficult to recycle.
9. For holiday parties, use glass or resuable plasticware and cloth napkins.
10. When shopping for gifts and holiday food, carry your own canvas bag or reuse shopping bags.
Story by: Sara Giboney at the Kearney Hub
