MAKE THE HOLIDAYS GREENER BUT NO LESS BRIGHT
Posted on 11.21.07
By: OGCstaff
You can have your holiday lights and go a little greener, too. The secret? Spell it L-E-D.
LED lights give off more light and almost no heat, which makes them more energy-efficient. They also last longer and present less of a fire danger than traditional holiday lights. And they’re bright enough to provide plenty of holiday cheer. (Click here to see a video on these cool holiday lights.)
More tips for a greener holiday season:
Go fake. Skip the pine sap and needles on the floor and invest in an artificial tree. Some models come pre-strung with LED lights, and they’re all lots better looking than they were a generation ago. Plus, you can just pull a bag over them and store them in a jiffy, lights and all, saving time both in the set-up and tear-down.
Go local. Buy a real tree from a local source. Don’t forget that it takes fuel to truck trees from far away. You’ll find plenty of local growers in the region. Make a day of it with the family and cut down your own, Your tree will be fresher and you’ll be supporting local farmers and businesses.
Recycle the greenery. Dont toss your tree after the holidays. SMUD is one of several locations that will accept Christmas trees for recycling. For more information, check your Connections newsletter mailed with December’s SMUD bill or visit Sacramento County’s waste management Web site.
Cool those embers. Roast your chestnuts somewhere other than on an open fire. As of Dec. 1, you can’t light up the fireplace any time you want. Because of air pollution, Sacramento County now has no-burn days, with fines for non-compliance. Check the Spare the Air Web site for more information.
Stamp out mailing. Reconsider your greeting-card list. In this Internet age, you can touch base with most of your friends and family members by e-mail. You’ll save time, too, if you cut down on all the cards you write, address and mail.
Think before you give. For the person who has everything, don’t buy more – or don’t buy a lot. Remember, it’s the thought that counts. A small, thoughtful gift that will be used is better than more junk for the landfill. And don’t forget there’s nothing wrong with “re-gifting,” as long as it’s not a fruitcake from 1987.
Another thing to consider: Give a gift to a charity in the name of the people on your list. Web sites like Charity Navigator can help you find reputable ones.
Waste not, wrap not. Wrap it all up with recycled paper. Grandma was right when she used to save all the pretty paper, ribbon and bows. Along with gift bags, these items can be re-used countless times. If you need to buy new wrapping supplies, look for those made of recycled material.
No frequent-flyer foods: Remember that local or organic (or local and organic) food uses less energy to produce and get to market. So shop for these items when at all possible. Bonus: You’ll be supporting the region’s small farmers!
Let it rot: Instead of chucking all the vegetable trimmings and too-old leftovers from sumptious holiday meals into the trash, throw it all in the compost pile. You’ll find lots of information on how to make great garden fertilizer quickly and safely with just a simple Web search.
Above all, remember that the best things in life aren’t things, but friends and family. Get off the consumption train and think about ways to reduce, reuse and recycle. Your mother – Mother Earth, that is – will appreciate your effort.
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