| hose not familiar with the term “green” it | | | | of Tupperware, decorative tin, nice wooden box, |
| refers to an item that is natural, organic or | | | | baking pan, wrapped in a towel, etc. |
| environmentally friendly. | | | | •Use last season’s gift wrap, gift bags |
| As you can imagine, we produce tons of waste during | | | | and gift boxes, ribbon and bows. |
| and after the holiday season. Let us show some | | | | Greeting cards & gift tags |
| compassion on the environment during this season of | | | | •Send an e-card. |
| compassion! Here are a few ways we can reduce | | | | •Make a greeting card or tag from scrap |
| waste, help protect the environment and enjoy a | | | | paper, fabric or wallpaper. |
| “greener” Christmas: | | | | •For short messages use a large leaf or flat |
| Christmas tree | | | | stone. |
| •Rather than buying a tree to be thrown away, | | | | •Make cards or tags from pieces of a tissue |
| purchase a large potted plant or small tree that can be | | | | or food box. |
| used each year as your “evergreen” | | | | Packing material |
| Christmas tree. | | | | •Use saved packing material such as peanuts |
| •Purchase an artificial tree that can be reused | | | | and foam wrap. |
| for many years. | | | | •Crush up newspaper into loose balls. This is |
| •Purchase your evergreen from a tree farm | | | | cheap, quick and lightweight! This is our preferred |
| as these trees are renewable. | | | | method for box filler. It is also fun for your relatives, |
| Christmas décor | | | | friends and customers to see a newspaper from |
| •Make a homemade wreath using branches | | | | another city. |
| trimmed from your garden. | | | | •Purchase biodegradable peanuts. |
| •Rather than purchase outdoor décor, | | | | •Use dry air popcorn. By the way there is no |
| decorate the trees and bushes in your yard with | | | | need to salt it! (Popcorn popped in oil will obviously |
| homemade décor that will survive a few | | | | make a mess and go right through your box!) Include a |
| weeks of winter weather. | | | | note for the recipient to feed it to neighborhood |
| •Purchase handmade décor made | | | | squirrels and birds or whatever creatures lurk in the |
| from recycled or eco-friendly materials. | | | | night! |
| •Fair trade crafts are a great way to support | | | | •If you have too many peanuts then give them |
| the disadvantaged. While some of these crafts may | | | | to a business that can use them. Call 1-800-828-2214 |
| not be from recycled materials they provide much | | | | or visit for information on businesses willing to take |
| needed income to needy individuals. | | | | your used peanuts. |
| Christmas tree ornaments | | | | Once the relatives go home and the kids return to |
| •Make homemade ornaments from fruit, dried | | | | school… |
| Indian corn, (painted) pinecones, dough, painted | | | | •Are you overwhelmed with gift boxes and |
| eggshells, crushed (colored) aluminum foil, paper chains, | | | | regular boxes? After (breaking down and) putting |
| paper snowflakes, small stuffed animals, old CDs and | | | | away as many as you can for future use, give away |
| more! | | | | the rest to friends or a business or tear or cut them up |
| •Decorate a doll as an angel. | | | | for kindling for the fireplace or for your charcoal grill. |
| •Do an online search for recycled or | | | | •Find out your township’s pick up |
| homemade tree ornaments for numerous ideas. | | | | schedule for trees. They will turn your trees into mulch |
| •Purchase recycled or eco-friendly tree | | | | for use in parks and public gardens. If you need mulch |
| ornaments such as the vegetable ivory – tagua | | | | for your own garden check into having your tree and |
| nut tree ornaments. | | | | any other cuttings from your yard turned into mulch for |
| Gift wrap | | | | your own use. |
| •Collect extra photocopies or no longer needed | | | | •Use any wrapping paper that is no longer |
| papers from your business for your children to draw | | | | reusable for shelf liners, scratch paper or craft |
| on the back side. | | | | projects. |
| •Use colored pictures from your | | | | •Save boxes, gift bags, wrapping, filler, ribbons |
| children’s coloring books. | | | | and bows for shipping, gift wrapping, craft projects and |
| •Save the comic section each week to build up | | | | even storage containers. |
| a collection of colorful wrapping paper. | | | | Don’t forget to share this information with |
| •Use leftover pieces of fabric or wallpaper. | | | | others! |
| •Use recycled paper. | | | | Have a merry green Christmas! |
| •Put the gift inside another gift such as a piece | | | | |