Sometimes it seems Christmas is all about excess—bigger gifts, taller trees, later shopping hours and of course over eating. But there are some ways you can cut back on your carbon footprint this year. Check out these tips to see if you can make your Christmas a little more green.
1. Buy a real tree. Artificial trees may last forever, but they often look pretty worn after a few uses and get thrown out. And because they are made out of a plastic that won't break down they can't be recycled. A fresh-cut tree, on the other hand, can be repurposed after Christmas. Many cities offer Christmas tree recycling programs that turn your old holiday staple into mulch. Salem even offers curbside recycling for your Christmas tree each year.
2. Use recycled decorations. When it comes time to trim your tree, stay away from store-bought ornaments if possible. These mass-manufactured options generally have a large carbon footprint from production and transportation. You can easily make your own ornaments out of recycled materials, such as Popsicle sticks, old wine corks or even old light bulbs.
3. Watch what you buy. The holidays are packed full of food. From the traditional holiday meals to delicious treats. But as you shop for your holiday trimmings, make sure you don't buy more than you need—unless you plan to donate it to charity. Otherwise, you will just end up throwing away a lot of the food you've already paid for.
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4. Beware of where you shop.
Retail stores, such as Walmart, may offer cost savings, but it's your carbon footprint that will really pay for those bargains. Big box stores often ship merchandise from foreign countries and cause the emission of massive amounts of carbon dioxide. Instead, purchase locally made products. They often have a lower carbon footprint and allow you to support businesses in the Salem community.
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5. Recycle wrapping paper. According to the Clean Air Council, an extra million tons of waste is generated per week between Thanksgiving and New Year's, including 38,000 miles worth of holiday ribbon. Cut down on your carbon footprint by choosing recyclable wrapping paper this year. Sparkly foil packages may be pretty, but they can't easily be recycled. Instead, wrap your gifts in old paper grocery bags. For children you can use the comics section of The Salem News. Once the presents are unwrapped, save the paper for next year or throw it in your recycling bin.
6. Get rechargeable batteries. You can never have enough batteries at Christmas time, especially if you have kids. Instead of buying bundles of corrosive batteries that are difficult to recycle, opt for rechargeable batteries. They may cost more up front, but you will spend less on batteries over time and you won't have to toss any in the garbage.
7. Switch to LED lights. LED lights are the most efficient option on the market. They use 75 percent less energy than incandescent bulbs and last 25 times longer. And because they are not made of glass and don't burn as hot, they are also a safer holiday option.
8. Turn down the thermostat. The chilly days around Christmas may tempt you to turn up the heat, but you'll only cost yourself more money. Instead, keep your thermostat at 68 degrees. It may not be as toasty as you'd like, but it will keep your unit working efficiency and save you money on your heating bill. If you get cold, grab an extra sweater or snuggle up with a cozy blanket to stay warm.
9. Skip the Christmas cards. For many, sending and receiving Christmas cards is a fond holiday tradition. But it's not an eco-friendly option. The Clean Air Council reports that 2.6 million Christmas cards are purchased each year—enough to fill a football field 10 stories high. Most of these cards just wind up in the trash. So this year, consider sending your season's greetings though an email. You can still let your friends and family know that they are treasured through a personal note or a stockpile of your favorite family photos, but you don't have to use paper to do it.
10. Give consumable gifts. Instead of purchasing gifts this year, think about making your own. From edible confections to lotions and candles, making your own gifts is not only easy, it's green. You can even place your gifts in recycled jars to make them even more eco-friendly.
