The holidays are here, but as the fun gets underway, it can carry a hefty price tag that isn't anyone's idea of a great gift: Between Thanksgiving and New Years Day, the nation's household waste stream will increase by 25%, its electricity bill will rise by at least $410 million, and some 30 million trees will go from the Great Outdoors to the garbage dump.
If that seems like a bit of bah humbug, don't be discouraged! You can enjoy a memorable and meaningful celebration without these and other traditional environmental impacts. And when you do, you'll lower your carbon footprint and give something to the Earth and future generations as well. Here are our favorite ways to savor a low-carbon holiday season:
- Use LED holiday lights. With 20,000-hour lifespans, they'll be the last you ever buy, and they'll save up to 90% of the energy traditional lights use. According to the Department of Energy, if every household and business made the seasonal switch, we'd save enough power to run nearly 500,000 homes for a year. Shutting these lights off when no one's around will save more still.
- Use solar LED lights outdoors -- their operating impact is zero!
- When tree and decorative lights are on, turn other lights off. You'll save energy while making your holiday lighting will look better.
- Get a live tree that you can plant after the holidays to absorb carbon dioxide. If you cut a tree, look for a mulching or composting program that will turn it into something more than a landfilled-generator of greenhouse gases come January.
- Shop with purpose. Combine multiple errands and outings into a single trip, and plan an organized route that cuts out wasted back-and-forth miles and the carbon emissions they create. Head out during off-peak hours to avoid idling in traffic jams. And shop downtown where walking works best or shop online for a car-free experience!
- Give gift certificates. Other wrap-free gifts ideas include concert or sporting event tickets, house plants, and goodie baskets.
- Wrap creatively. Some 4 million tons of wrapping paper and shopping bags are used each season. Wrap gifts in colorful newspaper or magazine pages, old maps, shopping bags, or things that are gifts themselves like reusable bags and scarves, towels, or other fabric gifts.
- If batteries are required, make sure they're rechargeable. Disposable batteries have roughly 28 times more impact on the climate than reusables.
- Turn down the thermostat before guests arrive. Once your home is heated, their bodies will provide all the natural, carbon-free warmth you need to maintain a pleasant indoor environment.
- Skip the disposable tableware and rent what you need if you don't have enough dishes, glasses, and cutlery for your party.
