Buy gifts that are made of recycled materials. i.e.: welcome mats, irrigation hoses or surface cushion tiles made of recycled tires; clothing or items made of recycled plastic bottles; crafts or products made of scrapwood or reclaimed lumber.
Buy rechargeable batteries to go with new electronic toys. Encourage proper disposal of used small batteries. i.e.: small battery disposal programs offered by participating Wal-Marts, ACE Hardware, Radio Shack, Target, Black and Decker, Circuit City, Ameritech, etc.
Buy high quality, durable goods to reduce waste. A higher priced item may last longer and reduce the amount of junk merchandise ending up in landfills. i.e.: leather shoes rather than vinyl or cloth; high efficiency fluorescent light bulbs; or well made clothing items.
Buy living gifts. House plants, garden seeds or potted trees that can be transplanted in the spring.
Ideas like these can lessen the impact our celebrations have on the earth and leave us with more time to enjoy them. By changing the ways we mark the season, we can gain more time for the things that really matter and end up making memories... not a mess!
[ Next: Number 8 ]
