Daily Greenz #66

With 25% more waste being generated during the holidays, we suggest a couple of simple ways that you can help to reduce unnecessary trash during the gift-giving season. For one, since shopping bags and wrapping paper alone contribute four million tons of garbage during the month of December, be sure to bring your own shopping bag to the mall and buy online, package-less gifts like downloads from iTunes.

If you can’t do without gift-wrapping, consider using re-usable shopping bags, design magazines, or leftover wallpaper. Another alternative is Gaiam’s Seed Gift Wrap, made entirely from biodegradable paper and embedded with wildflower seeds. Rather than tossing it, the recipient can plant it and have beautiful blossoms by the spring. Find out more at gaiam.com . For tree-less options, Fish Lips Paper Designs offers wrapping paper that’s made with 100% post-consumer recycled paper and soy-based inks. Available for $4.00 a sheet at fishlipspaperdesigns.com .

Generic e-cards are a thing of the past. Opt to send free, customized e-cards this year with One True Media, which allows you to upload your own pictures, music, and videos for a truly personalized effect. Still feel an itch to send the real thing? Cradle to Cradle produces creative, tree-free
cards that can be recycled as carpet backing by being returned to Shaw
Industries. Available for $35 a set at reproduct.net.

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Daily Greenz #60

If you still haven’t gone out to get your tree this year, remember that buying a Christmas tree can be life-giving. Come again? When you buy a tree (potted or otherwise) from a local, organic tree farm, the farm will essentially replace the tree by planting several seedlings in its place, which will oxygenate the air as they mature in 5-7 years. If you prefer the potted version, these perennials should be kept outside until right before the festivities, which will ensure their longevity and freshness. The New Leaf greenhouse in New York City sells them all week long, putting all its profits back into supporting its programs of teaching workplace skills to former addicts. Check out arguscommunity.org for more information. In other cities, you can locate your local farmers’ markets or organic tree farms at localharvest.org.

After you’ve picked out the perfect tree,  make sure you deck it out the eco-friendly way. Use LED lights since they only use a fraction of the energy of regular lights. Forever Bright offers some festive options, with bulbs shaped like snowflakes and strawberries, which go for $14.95 at christmas-treasures.com. As for ornaments, consider making your own out of origami and ribbons, or opt to buy Fair
Trade Federation (FTF)-certified decorations from Tara Projects in India. Their gold star ornament sells for $8 at tenthousandvillages.com .

Once the holidays are over, make sure you recycle your tree! Christmas trees are essential in providing the necessary wood chips to protect and improve park landscapes, and prevent erosion at local watersheds. To find the nearest service that will put your tree to good use, go to earth911.org.

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