Feeling wastingful? Don't!/ go green

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Kelley Hope isn't concerned about the impression she'll make this holiday season wrapping gifts in brown, recyclable paper.

"It's the gift inside that counts," she says.

A Richmond resident, Hope has been a "greenie" for years, doing her best to help the environment by using recyclable products. She buys cloth diapers for her daughter, avoids disposable plates, drives a hybrid and recycles.

Carrying that practice over to the holidays makes perfect sense, she said, even though it may seem impractical to some. The holiday season, after all, is a time of extravagance - overeating, overspending and overindulgence.

"It's a little harder during the holidays," said Hope, who works at the Central Virginia Waste Management Authority. "I go to these parties and see all the disposable plates and cups. I want to be a nice guest, so I don't say anything."

But serve drinks in aluminum cans, and Hope will take the empty containers home to recycle.

"Everyone can do something little - even during the holidays," she said.

Don't know where to start? It's easy being green. Try some of the ideas on this page and E3, courtesy of the Central Virginia Waste Management Authority, to get you on your way.

Trees: There are two sides to every story, including this one. Some argue fake trees are best because they can be reused. But they are not biodegradable. Others opt for cut trees because they can be turned to mulch after the holidays. Another option is buying a live tree and replanting it in your yard.

Wrapping: Traditional paper sure is pretty, but instead of buying it, get creative. Wrap presents in posters, the Sunday comics, decorated grocery bags or pages from glossy fashion magazines. Or, buy recycled versions of traditional paper from places such as
paporganics.com. Traditional wrapping paper cannot be recycled because of the metallic dyes used in making it.

Cards: This year, Americans will send nearly 2 billion holiday cards. Help reduce waste by buying cards printed on recycled paper. Or, consider going paperless by starting a family blog or sending e-cards to friends.

Parties: Set the table with metal flatware and real glasses and dishes. If you must use disposable plates, pick recyclable paper. Use cloth tablecloths.

Lights: Buy LED lights, which look the same as incandescent bulbs but last longer and use 80 percent to 90 percent less energy. They also are safer since they barely warm up. A 50-count string sells for about $7.50. Want to recycle your incandescent bulbs? Send them to HolidayLEDS.com, 120 W. Michigan Ave., Suite 1403, Jackson, MI 49201. The first 100 get a free set of LEDs. The second 100 get a coupon for 10 percent off. Visit www.holidayleds.com for details.

Gifts: Sharon Baxter, director of the office of pollution prevention for the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, suggests staying away from frivolous gifts. "Buy something they will actually use," she said.

Locally, you can buy soy candles, soy soap and other environmentally friendly gifts at The Green Turtle near Carytown. Owner Barbara Ann Pasnak suggests birdhouses and birdfeeders made from recycled materials.

"People are starting to realize that we are consuming so much stuff," Pasnak said. "They want to do what they can. Christmas is a great time to start because it's typically a time of so much consumption. It's good to look at what you are doing."

Batteries: Buy rechargeable batteries instead of disposables.

Shopping: Don't come home with a dozen shopping bags that you'll end up throwing away. Take your own recycled bag to the mall instead.

Going green

For guidance in going green, check out these resources.
-- www.treehugger.com
-- www.recycleworks.org
-- www.cvwma.com
-- www.thedailygreen.com

Christmas, by the numbers
38,000-plus: miles of ribbon to be used in the United States this holiday season, according to Newsweek.

10 million: fake trees sold every year in the U.S. - most come from China.

30 million: real Christmas trees sold in the U.S. each year, according to the National Christmas Tree Association. Most end up in landfills.

2 billion: Christmas cards to be sent by Americans this year, according to Hallmark.