GreenWorks - Ideas for a Cleaner Environment

“The ribbons! The wrappings! The tags! The tinsel! The trimmings! And the trappings!”

The Grinch was right about one thing - we do create a lot of trash during the holidays. Actually, we generate 25 percent more trash between Thanksgiving and New Years. This year, why not give a present to the environment - something Green!

Some gifts have less of an environmental impact than others - impacts from manufacturing, transportation, energy use, and disposal. Select durable, non-disposable gifts that will last or can be used over and over again. Consider gifts that provide lifelong memories while treading lightly on the earth, gifts such as babysitting or tickets to a sporting event, play or concert. Making a charitable donation in someone’s name to a favorite nonprofit is always appreciated. When possible, look for gifts made with recycled content, or clothes made from organic cotton. To contribute towards a healthy planet, consider giving a gift with an environmental theme such as a water-saving showerhead, battery re-charger, clothesline, or compact fluorescent energy-saving light bulb.

You can reduce waste by avoiding products with unnecessary packaging. Roughly one-third of the state’s 1,560,490 tons of trash generated last year from commercial and residential activities came from packaging - boxes, bottles, bags and cans. While some packaging is necessary, choose brands that use the least amount. If possible, select gifts that come in refillable containers or containers that are readily recycled. Air and water quality, landfill capacity, and your pocketbook will all benefit from reducing waste.

During the holiday season, the average household generates from three to ten bags of extra trash. When wrapping gifts, you can provide a personal creative touch by re-using gift wrapping and boxes from last year's presents or making wrapping paper from newspapers or paper bags that will create less waste, save trees, and, as a bonus, save you money. Let your children design their own wrapping paper using finger paints, markers, and crayons. Instead of wrapping a large present, create a scavenger hunt to find it hidden in the house or yard. Last year's holiday card can make nice decorations or tags for this year’s gifts.

Your low environmental impact holiday can continue even after the celebrating is over. Save boxes, ribbons, and cards for later use and take leftover packing peanuts to a local packaging service for reuse. Wrapping and boxes that are too tattered for re-use may be recycled. Call your local public works department or the recycling center to find out what materials can be recycled in your area. Even your holiday tree can be recycled; turn it into mulch or compost through a local tree-chipping event. Contact your local public works department or transfer station, or visit the N.H. Department of Environmental Services website at www.des.nh.gov/nhppp/holiday.htm for information on tree recycling and other ways to lighten your holiday impact on the environment.