Green Christmas: How to Choose an Eco-Friendly Christmas Gift
Posted on December 14, 2007
Filed Under Green corner, Family
Between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day, Americans throw away a million extra tons [900,000 metric tons] of garbage each week, including holiday wrapping and packaging.
Many of today’s products are available in environmentally friendly versions. There are staplers that do not use staples, remote controlled toys that do not use batteries, clothes made from natural products and even eco-computers that are made with gentler chemicals and make fewer emissions. It is easy to choose an environmentally friendly gift.
However, the most environmentally friendly gifts are made from creative ideas rather than material packages. Pass on the eco-friendly spirit with these gifts!
- - Give recycled gifts. Look in your closet, your cabinet or storage space.
What is in there that you have not used in the longest time, is gently used and could be of service to a family member or friend? You can also recycle or create decorative wrapping paper and cards using old Holiday cards, decorations and papers that you have around the house.
- - Don’t buy Christmas gifts that are over packaged. Toys are especially bad for this, with cardboard boxes covered by plastic sheets, sealed with tape and fastened with plastic ties. Buy products that have the packaging fit to them, or even better aren’t packaged at all.
- - Give homemade gifts. If you make great holiday cookies, pies, or other treats. Whip up a batch and give them as gifts in reusable decorative container. If you’re an artist, create miniature works to share with family and friends.
- - Consider the power requirements for your gift. Batteries that can’t be recharged are a dangerous addition to landfills because of the chemicals contained in them. A Christmas gift that doesn’t use power or can be recharged is best.
- - Give a charity or environmentally friendly gift Sponsor an animal or
give a membership to a charity or environmental organization. With a little planning we can give presents that are thoughtful, original and make a difference to the environment too.
- - Find out where the product comes from. The amount of waste created and energy used in the manufacture and transport of products can have a real impact on the planet. Buying locally contributes to the economy of your own community and reduces the amount of pollution created by trade. The manufacturer should also have an environmentally friendly operation.
- - Give sustainable gifts: water bottles, canvas shopping bags (decorate them with fabric pens or iron on patches for a personal touch), or stainless steel travel mugs.
- - Plan your shopping trips, so that they occur along your usual routes as much as possible. If you work downtown, take a stroll by the shops. Is there a shopping center or mall along your route from work? Check it out?
… and don’t forget: We can celebrate; we can be generous but let us also be kind to the planet where we live.
Related Posts :
Comments
7 Responses to “Green Christmas: How to Choose an Eco-Friendly Christmas Gift”
Leave a Reply
[…] Betty had some great ideas on this topic.You can read a snippet of the post here.Eco-Friendly Christmas Gift What is in there that you have not used in the longest time, is gently used and could be of service to a family member or friend? You can also recycle or create decorative wrapping paper and cards using old … […]
A lot of these simple, easy to do activities will make a big difference– especially with bigger organizations. Sun Microsystems, who comes in first place in Silicon Valley for lowest carbon emissions, is hosting a free event to share their wealth of knowledge regarding conservation and sustainability at a free event called Energy Camp in January of 2008. Its my (one and only) N.Y. resolution:: www.openeco.org/energycamp
Hi Conceptually this article (nnial 2007 - salvatore iaconesi - del.icio.us poetry) is sound and I agree whole heartedly. I personally think it relates to Edible Baby Shower Cake as well, IMHO.
Hi , i am looking for gift ideas n there are so many of them , so much so it leaves me confused and undecided what to get - maybe you would like to visit my website - happy holidays .
[…] Check it out! While looking through the blogosphere we stumbled on an interesting post today.Here’s a quick excerptDon’t buy Christmas gifts that are over packaged. Toys are especially bad for this, with cardboard boxes covered by plastic sheets, sealed with tape and fastened with plastic ties. Buy products that have the packaging fit to them, … […]
Passing through and wanted to say hello
Hey!, been surfing the net for earn money ways and found your blog reg Personal development for a perfect life. You relly know your stuff! I\’d like to see more posts here. Will definitely bookmark it and come back.