Give a Gift to the Watershed
this Holiday Season
This article originally appeared on the
Chesapeake Bay Program web site
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Signs of the season now abound throughout the Bay watershed. Twinkling lights adorn houses while spruces and firs sit in living room corners. But as quickly as the season has descended upon us, it will be over, leaving less-than-desirable signs: higher energy bills, bags of crumpled wrapping paper and Christmas trees in dumpsters.
There are several steps that watershed residents can take before and after the holidays to reduce some of these unpleasant sights and lighten the impact of the holidays on our environment. Here are a few ideas that will go a long way in making the Bay watershed merry.
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Help limit pollution from power plants by saving electricity this season. Don't leave decorative lights on all night, and invest in LED lights that last longer and use much less energy.
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Try some of these wrapping paper alternatives -- you'll cut down on the paper waste you generate and save trees in the process.
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Recycle your tree. Trees sent to the dump will take up space for years, and burning releases pollutants into the air. Check with your local city or county government to see what options you have for Christmas tree recycling and make sure your tree will be mulched or composted (not land-filled!) before you set it out for collection.
While we can't control whether or not it's a white Christmas, residents of the watershed can sure make it's a green one by reducing energy use and holiday waste. Here are some more tips for an environmentally friendly holiday season.
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Shop smart by choosing gifts with small amounts of packaging such as gift cards, movie passes or concert tickets.
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Artificial vs. Real Tree? Check out this fact sheet and decide for yourself what's better for nature.
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Sending a “Season's Greetings” card? Choose one made from 100 percent recycled paper, or consider e-mailing this year's holiday letter to save paper altogether.
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Shop online. Not only will you avoid crowds, you'll reduce pollution associated with all those hectic trips to the mall.
Other Sites of Interest:
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