Even if you're committed to conservation most of the year, during the busy end-of-year holidays it can seem like just another thing to think about. With that in mind, here are some simple, eco-friendly ways to celebrate the season. May your days be merry and bright — and may all your Christmases be green.
1. Make your own gift wrap from eco-friendly recycled kraft paper.
2 & 3. In lieu of exchanging gifts with friends this season, have a clothing swap. Or make an agreement to only give second-hand gifts, and then scour Etsy and local thrift stores for something truly unique. (And there's always the option of making your own mdash; hello, DIY.)
4. For your big holiday party, avoid using disposable dinnerware and rent instead. You probably don't have 48 champagne flutes. (And you might not have room for them in your apartment even if you did.) If you want to keep your party classy and save the earth at the same time, try searching for a party rental company in your area that rents glassware and dinnerware. It's surprisingly affordable (around $.50 for a wine glass at one place I checked) and many places don't have minimum orders. Plus, many companies offer delivery and pickup — and they'll wash the glasses for you.
5. If using disposables is unavoidable, you can purchase disposables that are earth-friendly and recyclable (or compostable). Another tip: if I'm buying plastic cups I always check the number on the bottom on the bottom to make sure I can recycle them later. (Many disposable cups, like those famous red Solo cups, can't be recycled in areas that won't take a 6 (like mine)).
6. Start a new holiday tradition and plant a tree with your family.
7. Make a centerpiece or wreath from local greens.
8. & 9. Turn the thermostat down a few degrees and warm yourself by the soft glow of a recycled paper fire log. (Or you can use this handy-dandy device to make your own. I'm going to be burning all my junk mail in no time.)
10. Once all the merriment is over, recycle your Christmas tree instead of throwing it away. Check for facilities in your area. If your city doesn't have a Christmas tree recycling program, Organic Gardening has a few DIY recycling ideas.
(Image: Shutterstock)
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Rental plates, great idea! Guests could also bring their own dishes, a few plates in the back seat doesn't seem like a huge deal when you consider the waste created by disposables. I'd recommend a living tree and maybe as a gift to the planet, take a few moments to learn about our native conifer species and what we can do to conserve them.
If you can swing it, bring in a live potted tree from the porch a day or two before the big day, rather than the corpse on a once-live tree that needs to be recycled!
The link is broken on the recycled paper log DIY. :(
Not going to work as most Americans have their trees up already for Thanksgiving or shortly after.
Yes definitely bring in a potted tree for a christmas tree! We decided to start doing that last year - no more guilt about cutting down a tree...
My sis harvests her trees every year. Once she made a table and used the limbs as legs. It was lovely. She also ties handfuls of twigs together and dries them to make fire starters.
We make an animal tree, all natural, for the wildlife.. one of my favorite Christmas celebrations. http://ourfunwithfive.blogspot.com/2012/01/stringing-popcorn-and-our-animal-tree.html