Greening the holidays

-- Quote of the Day -- 

“There is place in the world for any business t

hat takes care of its customers – after the sale.” 

~ Harvey MacKay

-- Shopping Tips -- 

Well it is Xmas season again and folks are planning for all kinds of gatherings, events, parties, feasts, gift giving, visiting, traveling... and a week or so later, there's New Years to face. 

Over the holidays, North American trash increases by 25% - about 25 million extra tons of garbage going to the landfill.

I thought that it would be appropriate to talk a little about greening these events. 

Simple things to ask one's self are:

 - Can we make, borrow or rent decorations? Can we choose compostable eco-friendly decorations (cedar bows, flower wreaths)?
- Can we make the gifts (i.e. containers of various baked goods, jams, etc.) or consider eco-friendly ones (house plants, garden seeds, rechargeable batteries, gift certificates...).
- Do the gifts have to be wrapped or bagged? and if so - what ways can we reduce the impact of the packaging?
- How can we reduce plastic and litter?
- Have we prepared compost collection and recycling collection containers? Are the containers placed so that they are easy to access, easy to use, well labeled?
- Is the food we are serving organic, grown locally, prepared locally?
- Have you considered including a donation box for local charities at your event?
- Choose eco-friendly lighting - LED or CFL 
- Can we use (or rent) fabric table cloths and napkins - washing and saving them for reuse?

To learn more about hosting green celebrations, conserve energy, save money, find craft projects, unique and eco-friendly gift ideas that perpetuate green consciousness, and much more... check out Trash Talk It's Easy To Be Green, Book 2: 

http://brummet.ca/store.html

Find Dave and Lillian Brummet, excerpts from their books, their radio program, blog, and more at: http://brummet.ca * Support the Brummets by telling your friends, clicking those social networking buttons, or visiting the Brummet's Store - and help raise funds for charity as well!