Environment and Conservation Offers Tips for a Greener Holiday

NASHVILLE – Americans throw away up to 25 percent more trash between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day than at any other time of the year, but with some simple tips, you can make your holidays green and save a little money.

 

“From giving environmentally friendly gifts to unique decorating tips, there are a host of simple steps we can take to reduce waste without sacrificing tradition,” said Environment and Conservation Commissioner Jim Fyke. “These tips reflect ways we can celebrate the holidays and still treat the earth with kindness.”

Pass on the Holiday Wrap: Thrift store items can make great gift packages that will have a second useful life.  Look for picnic hampers, photo boxes, mason jars and baskets.  You can add cloth napkins or tea towels to conceal the gift. Consider generic wrapping elements that you can use all year long, such as brown, white or metallic-colored craft paper, which can be used again for birthdays, weddings, showers and hostess gifts. Or make your own wrapping paper out of newspaper or children’s artwork! Remember, most store-bought wrapping paper is not recyclable and ends up in landfills. 

 

Thrifty Decorating:  Raid your attic, garage, basement or shed for potential outdoor holiday decorations.  Clay pots, kids wagons and galvanized buckets make great holiday displays. Vintage skates and skis, as well as snow sleds and shovels, can add to your winter wonderland theme. 

 

Benefit Others: Make your purchases count! Buy products from manufacturers who support your causes.  Charitable information can generally be found online. Hosting an office party or luncheon?  Ask participants to bring a donation as an “entrance” fee.  Nashville-based Soles for Souls collects new and gently worn shoes for distribution to people in need in the U.S. and abroad.

 

High Tech Recycling: For techies, iRecycle is a free “app” offered by the iPhone store that will help you locate recycling centers in your area.

 

Travel Efficiently: Whether it’s for holiday shopping or a trip to visit family, reduce your fuel consumption by taking public transportation, avoiding drive-thru windows, carpooling or mapping your route for the greatest efficiency and least amount of fuel consumption. Instead of driving to see the holiday lights, take a stroll through your neighborhood! 

 

Post Less: Postcards produce less waste than a greeting card and envelope (and take less postage too)! Consider this alternative for greeting cards, invitations or response cards, as well as thank you notes.

 

Green Support: While traveling, look for "green" lodging and attractions.  Tennessee State Parks feature a variety of environmentally friendly lodging options with close proximity to some of the most unique natural and historical settings in our state. 

 

Stuff Your Stocking: Eco-friendly gifts make great stocking stuffers.  A few ideas include reusable shopping bags, aluminum or steel water bottles or a coffee mug from a favorite, local coffee shop.

 

ENERGY STAR: Look for the ENERGY STAR rating for your electronic gifts, and your gift will keep giving throughout the year with greater energy efficiency. And don’t forget to recycle your old electronics to keep them out of landfills.

 

Who Moved My Cup?:  No choice but to use disposable cups for a holiday function? Be sure to have a permanent marker on hand so your guests can mark their cups and encourage them to only use one.

 

In addition to other time-honored waste reducing tips such as composting holiday trees and trimmings, Environment and Conservation encourages you to communicate these green holiday tips with family, friends and co-workers by sharing the following link www.tn.gov/environment/pdf/greenholidaytips.pdf.

 

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