Parties, presents, cookies, oh my! This holiday season, follow these ten easy steps to help reduce waste and consider the environment during your winter festivities.
- Twinkle lights are beautiful this time of year. Help save electricity by turning off or unplugging lights during the day. Take your conservation commitment a step further by trading in old lights for energy-efficient LED lights!
- Shopping, shopping, and more shopping. Whether you’re buying groceries or looking for the perfect gift for a loved-one, remember to take your reusable bags. Sea turtles will appreciate your choice to forego plastic bags.
- Are you a tech-lover with the latest and greatest phone or tablet at the top of your wishlist this year? Donate your old electronics to Ollie’s Trading Post for recycling because according to the EPA, nearly 140 million cell phones are thrown away each year.
- Donate your old toys to charity– it will make room for new ones and your generous giveaway will make another child’s holiday brighter.
- Wrapping gifts has become a time old tradition in many households, but it isn’t a very green practice. Impress friends and family by getting creative with wrapping! Use recycled gift bags, make fun wrapping paper out of recycled newspaper comics or buy paper made from recycled materials.
- Get an early start on your spring garden by composting your leftovers from each delicious holiday meal.
- During kitchen cleanup, make sure you fill your dishwasher completely to save on water consumption and energy use.
- Get crafty with the kids while teaching them to go green! Use items like strung popcorn or cranberries and pull out those old greeting cards and start cutting to make new decorations.
- If you decorate a real pine tree, be sure to buy local and don’t forget that the city of Charleston will compost your tree after the holiday!
- Finally, this season of giving, take the time to give back to your favorite non-profit. Our fish will love you for it.
