Tips for a Green Christmas

Here are some tips to having a greener Christmas from the Piedmont Environmental Alliance! With finals just (and I mean, just) around the corner, I thought it would be nice to get people into the Christmas spirit.

Enjoy the Holidays While Minimizing Your Impact on our Planet

• Buy local – This term is getting a lot of press lately for good reason. Buying local reduces transportation costs while supporting your community retailers and farmers.
• Buy used – There are many local consignment shops or other retailers that specialize in “gently used” items. Etc. Consignment Shoppe on Jonestown Rd in Winston-Salem is a great place to buy high-quality second-hand items at affordable prices. They carry a large selection of clothing, children’s wear, furniture, electronics, books, games, and more. PEA members receive $5 off your purchase. http://www.peanc.org/content/etc-consignment-shoppe
• Plan your trips – A little planning will save you gas money and reduce greenhouse gas emissions; combine errands, map out your shopping routes, and carpool to events.
• Avoid disposables - Remember to take your own bags with you into stores when shopping; use washable utensils, glassware and plates and cloth napkins for parties.
• Purchase an eco-friendly tree – buying a real tree is more environmentally friendly than a fake tree, but the best choice is a tree grown without chemicals. Our favorite local spot is Reed Island Farm, a “cut-your-own” farm one hour North of Winston-Salem. Since you’ll be driving, bring family and friends and make a day of it in the mountains. We aren’t aware of any places closer that are as eco-friendly. If you know of a place, let us know. http://www.reedisland.com/RIF/rif.htm http://www.mtrogersfraserfir.org/realvsfake.html
• Re-use whenever you can - Cut off the fronts or inside messages from holiday cards you receive to make gift tags; wrap your gifts with newspaper, brown paper bags with a brightly colored ribbon, the Sunday comics, reusable fabric and cloth ribbons, or old calendars or catalogs.
• Reduce waste - Send e-cards or set up a holiday blog, rather than mailing cards. Decorate with greenery, flowers, leaves, berries, nuts, pine cones, gourds and fruits instead of plastic, paper or electric decorations; compost your greenery after the holidays.
• Green your meals- Buy local and/or organic whenever possible; consider vegetarian alternatives or purchase humanely and sustainably raised meat options.
• Reduce energy - Consider forgoing electric holiday lights; or, if you enjoy lights, use LED lights that consume one-tenth as much energy as conventional holiday lights and last much longer.
• Give gifts of charity– local eco-favorites include donations to PEA (of course!), Piedmont Land Conservancy and Yadkin Riverkeepers. Many non-profit organizations have gift memberships.