10 Easy To-Do Tips for a Green Holiday
Here are ten simple suggestions you can use that will benefit the environment in the green holiday season.
- Before you buy, take inventory of what you already have. Don’t create clutter by purchasing more wrapping paper and ribbon than you will use. Purchase only what you need and can recycle.
- Carry reusable bags when shopping. Use the bags you carry your groceries in, or an old paper shopping bag from a department store. That way you will create less waste.
- Consider buying consumable gifts, such as tickets to a show, a gift card to a favorite restaurant, or something edible. These gifts don’t create clutter.
- Shop on the web for holiday gifts. This will save you time running from store to store and fighting the crowds. Many sites offer free shipping if you shop early and web only sales, so you can get some great deals.
- Buy or make your own cards made with recycled paper. Also, after the holidays, don’t forget to recycle the cards you received. You could also forgo paper cards and send an electronic card.
- Avoid buying bubble wrap. It is not recyclable. However, if you receive some this season, save it and reuse it. Instead of bubble wrap, pack your gifts in the shredded paper you accumulate when you clear out your files.
- Decorate your tree with natural decorations, like pine cones, strings of popcorn, or homemade treats.
- Recycle your old, broken holiday lights. Local Ace Hardware stores and HolidayLEDS.com have light recycling programs.
- Consider buying rechargeable batteries and a battery charger for all those holiday toys and gadgets. Used batteries are considered hazardous waste.
- When the holidays come to an end, put your tree out at the curb for your trash collector to pick up for recycling. If that service is not provided, bring your tree to your local recycling center. To find a location near you, visit Christmastree.org and enter your zip code. That’s the best way to more green into your green holiday.
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For additional tips and resources on how to reduce the impact on the environment this holiday, visit earth911.org.
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Janet Schiesl
Janet has been organizing since 2005. She is a Certified Professional Organizer and the owner of Basic Organization.
She loves using her background as a space planner to challenge her clients to look at their space differently. She leads the team in large projects and works one-on-one with clients to help the process move quickly and comfortably. Call her crazy, but she loves to work with paper, to purge what is not needed and to create filing systems that work for each individual client.
Janet is a Past Board Member of the National Association of Productivity and Organizing Professionals and a Past President of the Washington DC Chapter of NAPO were she has been named Organizer of the Year and Volunteer of the Year.
Janet Schiesl
Janet has been organizing since 2005. She is a Certified Professional Organizer and the owner of Basic Organization.
She loves using her background as a space planner to challenge her clients to look at their space differently. She leads the team in large projects and works one-on-one with clients to help the process move quickly and comfortably. Call her crazy, but she loves to work with paper, to purge what is not needed and to create filing systems that work for each individual client.
Janet is a Past Board Member of the National Association of Productivity and Organizing Professionals and a Past President of the Washington DC Chapter of NAPO were she has been named Organizer of the Year and Volunteer of the Year.
I didn’t know that Ace had holiday lights recycling. That is great to know. Seems like the lights often break between years, so this is really the smart way to dispose of them. Thanks for sharing that!
You’re welcome Seana.
Same here – I didn’t know about Ace Hardware’s light recycling program. That is fabulous information! Your other tips are great also.
Thanks Diane.
We did a lot of consumable gifts this year. It also helps keep my home decluttered since I do not need to store the items. =) Great tips!
Thanks Sabrina.
I didn’t know about either of the light recycling programs! Also, though — did I miss it? — DONATE your old, usable, but no longer used by you, Christmas decorations so that someone else can enjoy them.
Yes. This is the best time of year to donate holiday decorations. After the holidays is too late. Very few charities have the storage space to keep until next December.
Happy to see I’m doing most of these, but it’s always good to find even more ways to go green.
Yes it is. Our planet depends on it.