Tips for a Greener Holiday

Americans throw away an estimated 25 percent more trash between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day than at any other time of the year, according to the federal Environmental Protection Agency and Partners for Environmental Progress.

The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation is working with its Pollution Prevention and Keep America Beautiful partners to create greater awareness of these household waste generation patterns, their impacts on natural resources and the resulting increase in landfill disposal costs.

“From giving environmentally friendly gifts to composting Christmas trees when the holiday celebration is over, there are a host of simple steps we can take to reduce waste without sacrificing tradition,” said Environment and Conservation Commissioner Jim Fyke.  “These tips reflect ways we can celebrate the holidays and still treat the earth with kindness.”

10 TIPS FOR A GREENER HOLIDAY & NEW YEAR

• Give gifts that make memories instead of waste. Consider activities like cooking school, canoe trips or tennis lessons.
• Have a contest for the most environmentally friendly gift. Gift ideas include a compact fluorescent lightbulb or an LED nightlight that lasts up to 30 years and saves a substantial amount of energy. Other ideas include consumables such as soap, candles or food items.
• Have a reuse day. Give last year’s holiday trimmings new life as decorations. Greeting cards can become gift tags. Ribbons can be combined into garlands. Wrapping paper and boxes can become handmade place mats.
• Include backyard wildlife in your holiday plans. Instead of discarding stale bread and fruit trimmings such as apple cores, put it outside for the birds.
• Consider your energy usage. Make sure electric appliances like coffee pots don’t stay on longer than necessary, put a timer on your outdoor lights and unplug chargers and adapters when not in use.
• Buy local for your special meals. It’s good for the economy, reduces fuel usage and greenhouse gas emissions and gives events a special flourish. This time of year farmers’ markets are full of seasonal items like winter squash and leafy vegetables. Tennessee is also home to numerous specialty items like hams, baked goods and cheeses. Learn more at www.picktnproducts.org.
• Don’t forget to recycle. Tubes left over from wrapping paper can go with the cardboard recycling; cookie tins can be recycled with soup cans; and many communities are now accepting products like blister packs with their plastic recycling. And don’t forget to chip or compost cut trees once the holidays are over. For more information about what can be recycled in your community or to locate recycling centers away from home, go to www.earth911.org.
• Try electronic communications. There are numerous free Internet resources to send electronic invitations and greeting cards, as well as photo sharing Web sites.
• Reduce your use of disposable items. For casual gatherings try serving foods that don’t require a plate or fork like baby quiches, finger sandwiches, cupcakes, etc. For larger meals, stick with reusable dinnerware, silverware and cloth napkins.
• Reduce your carbon footprint. When you hit the road for the holidays, keep your tires properly inflated to maximize gas mileage. Cleaner burning alternative fuels such as biodiesel and ethanol are becoming more available for diesel engines and flexible fuel vehicles (FFV) capable of running on either conventional gasoline or ethanol blends. Visit www.biotenn.org to find an alternative fuel pump location near you if you have an FFV or diesel vehicle.