5 Ways To Limit Your Environmental Impact At Christmas
If there's one problem with Christmastime, it's the consumer feeding frenzy that happens every year
. So much waste, and it's hard to not get into it at least a little bit. Most families have a lot of Christmas traditions that are difficult to change and too much fun to easily opt out of.
How can you adapt your habits at Christmastime to limit the impact you put on the environment?
1. Talk it over with family.
Have a discussion with your family about changes you'd like to make and why. Try to make handmade, used and Fair Trade gifts more acceptable.
Trees and seeds are good gifts for those who enjoy gardening. Find out what they'd like to grow and which varieties grow well in their area. A good fruit tree is a gift that will keep on giving for years.
2. Go easy on the lights.
Holiday light displays are beautiful, there's no doubt about it. We're planning a walk around our neighborhood soon to see all the holiday lights on display - my youngest just about plasters herself to the windows at night when she notices all the pretty lights outside right now.
The only problem with holiday light displays is how much energy they use. It adds a lot to your power bill, and most power generation isn't exactly clean. Then light strands break down over time and have to be replaced. That part isn't so pretty.
If you're going to have holiday lights, go for LED whenever you can. They use less power, and they've been improving over the past few years. You should also put your lights on a time, both outside and on your Christmas tree inside, so that they don't stay on all night long. They don't really need to look so pretty when no one is going to see them, right?
3. Think your travel through.
The holiday season is a time to visit and enjoy being with family. If you live away from your extended family, it's common to take a trip and go visit.
Kind of a pity about the pollution created.
Choosing the most effective and environmentally friendly form of transportation is a balancing act. A big part is how far you have to go. If you're only a couple hours away, a car may be your one option. If you're cross country, you may not be able to afford the time a car or train takes to cover that distance.
There are options to traveling. You can talk on the phone, of course. If both sides have a webcam, you can talk that way. Not as much fun as being together in person, but it's kinder to the environment and the budget.
4. Think about your tree.
We have an artificial tree. Not as pretty as a real tree, but we've had it for a number of years now and intend to keep on using it for many more. My mother has had the same artificial tree as far back as I can remember, and it's still going strong.
If you go artificial, that's the thing to remember, to commit to keeping it a long time. Don't just throw it out because you want a real tree from then on. Find someone who does want it if you're done with it.
If you go for a real tree, make sure it was sustainably farmed. A good tree farm replants every year. Don't flock your real tree, as that makes it unrecycleable. Do make sure that your real tree gets recycled in whatever way is available in your local area. Many communities have places where you can drop off your real trees at the end of the season.
5. Remember your reason for the season.
Whatever holiday you're celebrating, whatever the reason, keep it in mind as you prepare for it. There's no religion anywhere that demands the consumer frenzy that has become so common at this time of year.
by: Stephanie Foster
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