Small Ones Surround Us: Holidays

Friday, January 4, 2013

You Can Recycle That: Strings of Holiday Lights

As you're taking down the tree and holiday decorations during your annual bout of S.A.D., don't be so quick to throw out all of the faulty strings of Christmas lights! Believe it or not, those lights can be recycled.

Not only will you feel good about keeping your lights out of a landfill, but you'll receive a coupon for 25% off a purchase of (eco-friendlier) LED Christmas lights. It's a great deal for you and the environment!

Check out HolidayLEDs.com for shipping information and details about how to get your coupon.

Monday, November 26, 2012

The Greenest Christmas Tree

Now that Thanksgiving is over and the holiday season is upon us, plenty of people are starting to put up their Christmas trees. If you're looking for a "green" Christmas tree option, here are some things to consider.

I first discovered living Christmas Trees when I was living in Santa Monica, CA. I saw the potted trees at my favorite farmers market, and asked the vendor about the service. There, you could rent a potted evergreen tree for a few weeks. The company would even deliver the tree for you, and pick it up when you were done with it. There are a number of companies that offer similar service in California and around the U.S.

In the Buffalo area, Urban Roots offers living trees for purchase (not rental.) When the holidays are over you can plant the tree in your own yard, or you can choose to donate it. If you do, someone from Urban Roots will pick the tree up for you and deliver it to the recipient of your choice (Grassroots Gardens, Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper, or Olmsted Parks.)

Whether purchasing a living tree is actually greener than a cut tree is debatable. In most cases, cut trees come from Christmas tree farms which are replanted with new trees every year. Noone's cutting down forests to provide holiday trees for the masses.

Here in Buffalo, the city actually offers a holiday tree recycling program. If you leave your Christmas tree at the curb during the designated week, it will be picked up and used for mulch rather than winding up in a landfill. If you don't live in an area that offers a similar service, perhaps a living tree is a better option for you.

Sonrickers Christmas Tree Farm - Attica, NY

If you're trying to have a green Christmas, it's always good to know where your tree is coming from and where it's going to wind up. Happy holidays to everyone!

Friday, January 4, 2013

You Can Recycle That: Strings of Holiday Lights

Monday, November 26, 2012

The Greenest Christmas Tree

Further Reading