15 Grinch tips for the holiday season

(Nov 13, 2007) Between Thanksgiving and New Year’s, Americans throw away a million extra tons of garbage each week. So why not make this holiday season an eco-friendly one?

Here are some of our favourite tips along with tips from earth lab to get you started. Be sure to log onto the site to use their ECP Carbon & Lifestyle Calculator and calculate your lifestyle’s carbon footprint.

1. Lower the heat before guests arrive. You’ll save energy and the extra body heat generated by guests will warm the room.

2. The smaller the bulb, the lower the wattage. A lower wattage bulb consumes less energy and gives off less heat making your lights safer.

3. Donate unwanted gifts or last year’s gifts the kids have outgrown to charity.

4. Update and pair down your holiday mailing list to reduce the volume of mail sent. Send out Xmas e-cards.

5. Reuse boxes and shipping materials -- peanuts, shredded newspaper and bubble wrap.

6. Recycle holiday gift wrap or use materials bags that can be re-used.

7. Get a tree that can be mulched or planted after the holidays.

8. Recycle your fresh tree after Christmas.

9. Decorate with lights using light emitting diodes - LEDs.

10. Give gifts that don’t have to be wrapped at all – concert. tickets, gift certificates etc.

11. Shop online and don’t waste gas driving to the shopping mall.

12. Use timers on interior and exterior lights.

13. Replace outside lights with motion-sensor lights and use solar powered lights for other outdoor lighting.

14. Dimmer switches are an inexpensive way to save energy while setting the mood.

15. Go for more more energy efficient old-fashioned decorations like string of popcorn,gumdrops or cranberries, gingerbread men and candy canes.

Have yourself a very green Christmas.




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