It may be a white Christmas but Swapsity has a few tips to make your celebrations a little greener. Try some of these eco-friendly ideas this holiday season.
Christmas Cards: Save paper by sending your warm wishes in an e-card instead of using traditional cards.
Greener Gifts: When it comes to giving gifts, consider barter, homemade presents or shop at planet-friendly retailers and select products made from sustainable or recycled materials with little or no packaging whenever possible.
Wrapping: Discarding wrapping paper after just one use generates unnecessary waste. Reduce your holiday carbon footprint by re-using last year’s wrapping paper, wrapping gifts with fabric, using attractive recyclable bags or simply dressing up the gift with a nice bow.
Holiday Lighting: Trim the tree with LED lights this year. Not only will you conserve energy but you’ll save money on your household bill.
Christmas Tree: Don’t throw out your Christmas tree, recycle it! Many cities in Canada have curb-side pick-up as part of their recycling initiatives. Better yet, consider getting a potted evergreen tree that will last through the years.
Do you have any suggestions how to make Christmas a little greener?
Have a green, happy and sustainable holiday!
sproutmuncher wrote on Dec 21st 2010, 06:22
Curb your consumerism. Instead of spending money on yet another unnecessary gadget, game, toy, etc which uses unfriendly materials and expends unfriendly emissions into the environment, why not make a donation to a charity in the name of a loved one? Its effects will last longer and its meaning linger far beyond Christmas, and this year's latest trend.
SwapSity wrote on Dec 22nd 2010, 10:58
What a great suggestion! Thanks for sharing.
degistokus wrote on Dec 30th 2010, 17:47
Put your dry garbage and recycling garbage (which should also be dry) directly into the grey and blue city pick-up containers instead of "wrapping" them up in garbage bags. Save on garbage bag costs as well as lessening waste. The idea of wrapping up garbage has always seemed strange to me, unless something genuinely disgusting or dangerous was to be discarded. Of course you can do this year around. I have always followed this method. Garbage and recyclables go straight into containers in the house, without being wrapped, and are then transferred from those bins to the big bins outside (unless they are glass, etc.) Happy 2011, everyone!
