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Greening the Haul-idays
by author Michael Downey, BSc

Give a gift to the environment

Whether you celebrate Hanukkah, Christmas or the African heritage festival Kwanza, traditions no doubt dictate the food you eat, the decorations you display and the gifts you give. But most of our traditions share a common unintentional downside. They promote a holiday that is less than environmentally friendly--far less.

Brightly shining holiday lights contribute to the growing quantities of greenhouse gases that we send into the atmosphere. The gifts that we give--those purchases that make this the biggest retail sales period of the year--contribute to a culture of consumerism that pushes the world toward environmental destruction.

Is there some way we can enjoy this festive season without causing ecological damage?

"Christmas is a good time to make a difference in consumer habits," says Cristina Ruiu, a project engineer with Environment Canada. "Use this opportunity to buy products you believe in."

Eco-Friendly Shopping

Look for Environment Canada’s Eco-logo on more than 1,400 products that promote energy efficiency, recycling or the reduction of hazardous wastes. Eco-friendly gifts include composting kits, water-saving shower heads, energy-efficient light fixtures, timers for lights and heaters, canvas shopping bags, reusable lunch kits and, of course, anything solar-powered.

Buy gifts that are durable, especially for children. Things that break easily will just end up in the bin, and cannot be reused by anybody. Where possible, avoid buying--or requesting--presents that rely on disposable parts, including batteries. Always look for alternatives such as a coffee maker with a washable filter rather than throwaway paper ones, or solar-powered rechargeable batteries.

Buying recycled goods is just as important as actually recycling. Seek unusual gifts made from recycled materials, such as glass tableware or photo frames. Complete the loop by locating recycled goods wherever possible; the future of recycling ultimately depends upon there being a market for recycled materials.

Visit organic markets and fill gift baskets with delicacies that everyone can feel good about. For example, organic soaps containing plant and essential oils are thoughtful gifts for both the recipient and the environment. And cut down on what you buy by giving loved ones a hand made certificate redeemable for a favour, a dinner or an outing.

A donation to a relative’s favourite charity or a year’s membership in an environmental group are great gifts. You can buy a piece of rainforest, grassland or wetland, or adopt a humpback or beluga whale.

Do you really need that store’s shopping bag? If not, refuse to accept it. Always bring along a reusable shopping bag. Better yet, use one made of
organic cotton.

Wrapping Waste

To wrap gifts, use string, ribbon or scraps of wool, not sticky tape. The string can then be reused--and it saves the paper from tearing so you can reuse it, too.

When wrapping gifts, think creative reuse. Try newspaper, leftover wallpaper stock, store bags or magazine pages. Keep used wrapping paper for reuse next year. Better still, create the wrapping out of part of the gift. For example, wrap mom’s blouse in a matching scarf and tie it with a hair ribbon. Wrap a book in a nice bathrobe, using the belt as a ribbon.

Reuse Christmas card envelopes, and keep your favourite cards for making next year’s gift tags.
Trashing Trees

Michael Downey is a Toronto-based health, environment and science writer whose articles appear regularly in many Canadian and US newspapers and magazines. He is a strong advocate for waste and packaging reduction, which he says could have a huge impact on Canada’s environment--and, indirectly, on the health of us all.

Source: alive #242, December 2002