Connect with us

Uncategorized

Putting the ‘green’ in the holiday season

Published

on

What do fish sing during the holidays? Christmas corals! Have you resolved to be more eco-conscious this holiday season? Transition San Juan Island and Plastic Free Salish Sea can help! Check out the ideas below to reduce waste and lighten your carbon footprint in some of the major holiday categories.

Gifts

This time of year is often focused on gift-giving. Why not emphasize experiences with gift certificates? Or helping others with a charitable donation? If you must buy gifts, shop local and cut down on shipping and packaging. And when you’re done shopping at our local shops, make sure you dispose of your mask in the garbage so it doesn’t end up as litter, or even better, wear a reusable one. There are lots of fun options from local nonprofits like The Whale Museum or the San Juan Islands Museum of Art.

Decorations

Feeling tired of your usual holiday décor? Rather than buying new, organize a swap with friends and refresh your look! In a contactless way, of course. Or get some clear glass containers from the thrift store and fill them with fruits like citrus, grapes, and pomegranates. Adds some color to your table and makes for great snacking later.

Food

COVID-19 might be making us alter our plans this year, but one thing that doesn’t need to change: the food. We all have those traditional holiday recipes to make the season bright. Support island farmers and makers and get your ingredients from the San Juan Islands Food Hub. Don’t feel like cooking this year? Get takeout from your favorite local restaurant.

Mail and Packages

The holidays usually mean lots of catalogs in the mailbox. Go to www.catalogchoice.org to decide which ones you actually want. Instead of wrapping paper, why not use gift bags that can be used over and over again? Make your own from old sheets or T-shirts (YouTube’s a great resource if you’re not sure where to begin), or search ‘reusable gift bags’ on Etsy. Receiving wrapped gifts and don’t want to throw out the paper? Look at YouTube or other internet ideas for what to do with used wrapping paper. Found the perfect gift on Amazon but not sure what to do with the packaging? The bubble mailers and cardboard boxes can be easily reused, and most have a How2Recycle label with more details. For a full list of what to do with the different materials, check out these tips.

Recycle Christmas Trees

Look for local options to recycle your real Christmas tree by composting or chipping. For example, single-family homes within the Town of Friday Harbor limits can have their undecorated tree picked up free of charge on Jan. 8.

Recycle Old Batteries

Got old batteries sitting around from toys or holiday decorations? Keep them out of the landfill! Ace Hardware in Friday Harbor recycles all batteries free of charge.

On behalf of the Transition San Juan Island and Plastic Free Salish Sea – have a happy, safe, and sustainable holiday season!

You may also like…

Eugene2 days ago

Eugene Police Department hosts family-friendly Halloween event at Marquis Assisted Living

Eugene, OR – Eugene Police Department is partnering with The Marquis Assisted Living and Memory Care to host a safe,...

Eugene2 days ago

Eugene Springfield Fire responded to two-vehicle crash at 13th and Polk

Eugene, OR – Just after 2 p.m. on Friday, October 4, Eugene Springfield Fire responded to a two-vehicle crash at...

Eugene2 days ago

Eugene Springfield Fire contained structure fire at Brails restaurant early Sunday

Eugene, OR – Eugene Springfield Fire responded to a reported structure fire at Brails restaurant near downtown Eugene just before...

Eugene2 days ago

Eugene Springfield Fire joined community for annual fire safety event at Jerry’s

Eugene, OR – Eugene Springfield Fire partnered with the community at the annual Jerry’s Home Improvement fire safety event held...

Crime & Safety3 days ago

Man who cIaimed he had ingested iIIegaI drugs that were not what he expected and bIamed his actions on their effects after using a heavy tooI to strike his spouse, infIicting fataI injuries, the second maritaI partner he kiIIed, is sentenced

Massachusetts – A Massachusetts man was ordered to spend the next twenty five years to Iife in state prison after...

Crime & Safety3 days ago

Dad who cIaimed he was often not at home and able to deaI with daiIy tasks because of his job after his chiId was Ieft to fend for herseIf untiI her untimeIy death from a preventabIe medicaI condition, was convicted

Indiana – An Indiana parent, 39-year-old B. BredhoId, was convicted earlier this week by a jury for negIect of a dependent...

Oregon1 week ago

Oregon State Police seek public’s help after 16 salmon dumped at Cathedral Park

Oregon –  The Oregon State Police Fish and Wildlife Division is asking for the public’s assistance in identifying those responsible...

Eugene1 week ago

Eugene Police Department to host officer hiring workshop October 4

Eugene, OR – The Eugene Police Department will host a Police Officer Hiring Workshop on Saturday, October 4, at 11:00...

Eugene1 week ago

Eugene Airport expands non-stop services ahead of fall and winter travel season

Eugene, OR – As fall and winter approach, Eugene Airport announced expanded non-stop services and additional travel options for passengers....

Crime & Safety1 week ago

Mom, who was seen by her chiId pIacing toiIet paper in her disabIed 8-year-oId’s mouth before the chiId was struck in the head by her girIfriend, resuIting in fataI injuries, before both women took steps to conceaI the death and dispose of the body, was sentenced

Georgia – A Georgia woman was ordered to spend the rest of her Iife behind bars after pIeading guiIty to...

Crime & Safety1 week ago

5-year-oId dies after her father, who initially thought that she had been stabbed, stored a rifIe in her sibIing’s bedroom beIieving it would be safe, only for the 9-year-old to gain access to the unsecured firearm and fire a singIe shot, kiIIing the little girI: DA

Arizona – An Arizona man has been lndicted on feIony charges of chiId abuse, domestic vioIence, and misconduct involving a...

Trending