Eco - Local Eco News

POSTED: Sunday, Sep. 21, 2008

Holidays can mean a season of sustainable choices

The last months of the year leading up to the holidays can be a time for overspending and overeating, but it is possible — not to men-tion rewarding — to celebrate the season without overdoing it.

Stay out of the red and enjoy the green by minimizing the materialism and maximizing quality time with friends and family.

Halloween treat

• October is a wonderful time to be outdoors, so head to a local farm for a fun-filled family outing. “The practice of going to the grow-ing field to pick a pumpkin gives children an experience they don’t get from buying one at a store (by) connecting a product to its source,” says Terry Maczuga, nursery manager of Cloud Mountain Farm (www.cloudmountainfarm.com) in Everson. “Our pumpkin field is open during our apple season, and many families come not just to pick pumpkins but to get apples, pears and cider.”
• Ornamental gourds and pumpkins are great for carving or painting, and these natural decorations won’t end up in a landfill. “They can be composted, recycled through the FoodPlus! Recycling program or fed to livestock,” says Maczuga. “Chickens, pigs and cows all love pumpkins.”
• Halloween is a holiday known for candy, which is often filled with unhealthy additives. Fun non-edible goodies and games also are sure to satisfy tiny ghouls and goblins. Go with the classics to please a wide range of personalities: decks of cards, sets of jacks, crayons, balls, etc. Always look for items wrapped in minimal packaging made from recycled/recyclable materials.

Tailor shopping trips

• Plan your shopping sprees wisely to minimize drive time. “I always think of shopping with several friends or family members to save on gas,” says Diana La Due-Hand, owner of Bellingham shop Wise Awakening (www.wiseawakening.com). “And we recommend parking and shopping downtown, of course,” she adds.
• Save on shipping fees (and the resources it takes to ship packages) by buying local whenever possible. For out-of-town gifts, peruse the Web for shops in the recipient’s area.

Wrap wisely

• Avoid wrapping paper with metallic paint, glitter and other non-recyclable additives, and remove all remnants of adhesives (tape, gift tags, etc.) before throwing it in the recycling bin.
• Reuse paper and boxes for as many years as possible and, when buying new, choose recycled or reusable products. “We offer a beautiful array of fabric gift bags that can double as a container for jewelry and personal treasures,” says La Due-Hand.
• Add style with a holly sprig instead of a plastic bow or ribbon.

Tree thoughts

• For those who choose to invest in a fresh fir for seasonal trimming, there are eco-friendly options. Living trees (specifically grown for digging and planting) can be kept indoors for a short period of time and then returned to nature. “Selecting a living tree as a holiday tree takes a bit of consideration: how heavy the tree is, what size the tree will become, what light exposure it will need when planted,” says Toni Clark of Bakerview Nursery & Garden Center (www.bakerviewnursery.com) in Bellingham.
• If you choose a commercially grown tree that has been cut, it can be recycled into mulch after the holidays through the Boy Scouts’ annual tree-collection drive.
Look for The Herald’s annual listing of Christmas tree U-cut farms in December.

Party planning

Serving a sustainable seasonal spread just takes a little forethought.
• Opt for reusable silverware, plates, bowls, cups and cloth napkins instead of disposables.
• If you’re having a big Thanksgiving bash, rented tableware is an eco-elegant choice.
• Include seasonal vegetables and fruits in your turkey day menu, and shop at local markets for ingredients.
• Consider buying snack items and beverages in bulk to save on packaging.
• Set out clearly marked containers at holiday bashes so guests can dispose of trash separately from recyclables.
• Decorate with holiday plants such as amaryllis, paperwhite narcissus and poinsettias.

Gifts that keep giving

• Select recycled items in minimal or no packaging. Research the manufacturer’s fair trade practices and policies.
• Put together a themed basket of green goodies — for instance, a kitchen container could include nontoxic cleaning products, or-ganic-cotton hand towels, sustainable bamboo cooking utensils and a few winter squash from the garden.
• Or skip material gifts completely and hand out personalized presents this year. Draw on your talents and give gift certificates for services such as babysitting, dog walking, gardening or even a back rub.
• Spread the love by donating to a charity or worthy organization in a friend’s name. Whatcom Community Foundation is a clearing-house for many local deserving organizations.