...Green Christmas
by HOLLY WILLIAMS
The Christmas season has been dubbed “an environmentalist’s worst nightmare” for good reason. ‘Tis the time of year when millions of trees are chopped down and megawatts of energy are fed to scintillating house lights.
“Most people don’t really think about how much energy is wasted,” said junior Evan Talkington. “I think it’s important for people to be aware that there are alternatives.”
Fortunately, there are small steps everyone can take to create a more eco-friendly holiday, as listed on Eco-Artware.com
The fresh, robust scent of live fir trees is often considered an indispensable part of household Christmas celebrations. If this is the case with your family, try to purchase a tree with the roots still attached so that it can be donated to the parks department when you’re done enjoying it. If a standard-cut tree is preferred, it’s possible to acquire an organic one from www.freshchristmastree.com; this company will ship you a tree that has never come into contact with pesticides.
Decorative lights are also a principal aspect of the winter holiday season, but traditional mini-bulbs are uneconomical. Instead, beautify your tree and home with light-emitting diodes, otherwise known as LEDs. These bulbs cost more, but they’re long-lasting and require 90% less energy than standard lights. What’s more, they won’t scorch your tree or injure your little sister’s hands; they’re cool to the touch.
Wrapping paper is another item that often goes to waste during the Christmas season. Try wrapping your gifts in bandanas, old tablecloths, outgrown clothes, or other reusable pieces of fabric. If you prefer more lavish coverings, visit www.paporganics.com to order Poinsettia hemp wrap or paper made from naturally-shed mulberry tree bark. Also, a 10-foot roll of recycled gift wrap can be purchased for 9 dollars from www.smithandhawken.com.