Area activists offer

green gift-giving tips
By Scott Nicholson
nicholson@wataugademocrat.com

The Green Movement is hitting the holiday season with more than just fresh wreaths and mistletoe.

From packaging reduction to giving gifts of conservation, sustainable and environmental holiday ideas are popping up like vacationing elves on Gulf Coast beaches in January.

It’s well established that the holiday period between Thanksgiving and Christmas is the most generous time for people’s contributions to the nearest landfill. Americans throw away 25 percent more trash during that time than any other time of year. The extra waste amounts to 25 million tons of garbage, or about one million extra tons per week.

Watauga County recycling officer Lisa Doty said people could look at ways to trim their waste stream along with their trees this year. The county would like to see cardboard recycled, along with other recyclable materials that become more widely circulated and swapped during the holidays. Doty said old batteries and cell phones could be donated or recycled. If buying batteries, she recommended seeking out rechargeable batteries to reduce environmental impact.

“Also, it’s a good time to clean out old clothes and toys and donate to Goodwill ... [they] can be used for people who are less fortunate,” Doty said. The county has a swap shop on the waste transfer station site near Boone where people can leave used but useable items for others to pick up for free. This keeps those items out of the waste stream. The county is also accepting Christmas trees at no cost, and the trees will be recycled as mulch and made available back to the public.

Using less and recycling more is just one avenue toward a sustainable Christmas. The menu of possible gift ideas focuses on reusable or environmentally friendly products such as rain barrels, solar-powered toys or goods, or products made through sustainable processes or with natural materials.

Meredith Anders, co-owner of the new local business Green Mother Goods, said going green has “definitely been very trendy” this year. The business sells ornaments and other handmade items, as well as goods made in foreign countries under fair pay and trade agreements. Local natural crafts are also popular.

Anders said one idea that seems natural but not that common is an organic Christmas tree.

The business offers them from a grower in Trade, Tenn., and while she said there’s a “wildness” about them that varies from the uniform tree pictured on postcards and television advertisements, they are far better for the living room. One of the ironies of the Christmas tree industry is that most industry marketing campaigns focus on the advantages over the artificial tree, particularly in the hazards of manufacturing and the chemicals used, while Christmas trees themselves contain pesticides.

“It’s been really interesting, seeing these pesticides put on trees by workers wearing protective suits that look like space suits,” she said. “I always wonder if children should put on those same suits while they’re putting ornaments on the tree.”

Other green ideas include giving a gift of time or service instead of the standard consumer goods, or making a donation or volunteer commitment to a charity or non-profit effort. Some conservation groups have mounted holiday campaigns in which they ask for pledges or commitments of easements in recognition of a loved one or friend.

Other families pledge to spend time together or undertake a common goal instead of swapping gift-wrapped boxes. Additionally, concert tickets, a promise of dinner, craft or art ideas that can be personally provided, and non-material gifts like lessons and workshops are also good for the planet, according to activists.

Ideas, such as “regifting,” have emerged in the last few years, allowing an unwanted item to change hands, but not purchasing the item in the first place is a simpler option.

Proponents of “green giving” advise against giving gifts that the recipient is unlikely to use.

Even if giving something tangible, a little forethought can keep the garbage can from overflowing. In fact, a composting bin can make an excellent gift, along with water timers or programmable thermostats. Increased interest in renewable energy has made a number of solar-powered products available.

The N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources advises a number of waste-reduction tips, such as sending email greeting cards, using paper as a packaging material and selecting reusable materials whenever possible. Consider borrowing or renting items instead of purchasing them, or buy used goods and clothes at local thrift stores. Gift-wrapping paper can be reused, and plain paper or the Sunday comic page can make neat, attractive, and easily composted wrapping.

Conservation is important year round, but the holidays can stress water supplies, food consumption, and energy use. To minimize use of resources, let pots and pans soak before washing, minimize the amount of soap used, run only full loads of dirty clothes or dishes, and defrost frozen food in the refrigerator instead of under running water. Check the energy consumption of holiday lights and keep the glow of a green and healthier Christmas.