Your Green Christmas Guide

Photo: bostux via Flickr

Dreaming of a green Christmas?

You can lower your carbon footprint, save money and still have a wonderfully festive Christmas this year!

From christmas trees to gift wrap to lighting, try these eco-tips for celebrating a green Christmas.

Here's our first tip, for the rest of them see our web site.

Looking for a Christmas tree? Get real!
Many artificial trees contain contaminants and all are made from petroleum products. Fake trees also travel long distances to reach your local store, which means each one leaves a hefty carbon footprint.

A real tree is a better alternative, but often even real trees come from a significant distance, creating a bigger carbon footprint than the ecologically minded person would like. You can try to buy from a local tree farmer, but there is a third option, one that is becoming more and more popular every year: live Christmas trees.

Like fresh cut real trees, live Christmas trees help remove carbon from the environment and provide a home and food for wildlife while they are growing. Better yet, they end up right back on the job when they are replanted after the holidays. So while live trees may not be the cheapest alternative, they are by far the best ecologically.

Imagine continuing to enjoy the beauty of a Christmas tree all year round. Think of the wildlife that might visit to nest or feed every year!

If planting a tree at home is not an option, donating it to a watershed management or conservation group is another way of helping the environment. You’ll find groups with tree-planting programs in most communities, but be sure to look into this before buying. There may be specific types of trees that can or can’t be used in the area.

Finally, consider renting a live Christmas tree. This way all the benefits of a living tree are there without the hassle of caring for it throughout the rest of the year. Some of the companies that sell real fresh cut and live Christmas trees also provide the option of renting rather than purchasing.

More eco-holiday suggestions.

Give a Green Gift this Holiday Season!

Homemade jams. Photo: kayakeverwhere via Flickr

Helene Van Doninck, a wildlife veterinarian at the Cobequid Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre and a regular contributor to the Nature Canada blog, shares 11 great green gift ideas for friends and family this holiday season.

The holiday season is rapidly approaching, and with it  comes the task of finding gifts for loved ones. In my world, most people are trying to decrease the amount of “things” in their homes , so I honour that when selecting gifts. It is also important to me to pick items that are green or earth friendly.  Doing this doesn’t mean changing my entire strategy or even the traditional  categories of gifts for people. It just means altering choices to pick items that are less harmful to the environment, and many of these gifts end up being more meaningful to the recipient.

Green gift strategies can apply whether you enjoy  the process of finding the perfect gift  for everyone, or if you normally dread the decision making process and want it to be as quick and painless as possible. Gift suggestions will follow but some general guidelines for making your holiday spending ecologically responsible include:

• Buy locally, from independent services, stores, crafters and artisans. This will keep dollars in your community and decrease the footprint of your purchases. Farmer’s markets and craft cooperatives are fun places to shop.
• Choose products whose components are sustainably obtained.
• Consider gifts of experiences, events , or outings which appeal to the recipient. This supports local businesses and won’t add more possessions to the person who is trying to scale back.
• Avoid excessive packaging, both in your purchase and when you wrap the item. Tea towels and  fabric throws make great re- useable wrapping and homemade cards can be fun for the giver and the recipient.
• Reduce, re-use,  and recycle are always good principles to keep in mind.

11 Green Holiday Gifts:

1. Gift Certificates - Often thought of as the easy way out,  but they are really the perfect gift: satisfaction guaranteed and no returns. Even better: support stores and services that have a good environmental record.

2. Concert/event tickets – Tickets to an event, series, or a gift certificate to a local cultural centre will give the music/arts lover on your list something to look forward to in the new year.

3. Outdoor Gear – Anything that encourages people to get out and experience wilderness is bound to convert them to  active stewards of their little piece of the world. Consider things like binoculars, bird guides, backpacks, snowshoes, skis,  and outdoor clothing.

4. Green  Stars – Bicycles, bicycle gear, public transport passes, composters, wind-up radios and flashlights, re-useable insulated ceramic or steel coffee mugs, or anything that encourages a lower footprint.

5. Food – Choose items that are local and ethically sourced, or fair trade.  Even better are items you make yourself such as a tin of cookies, preserves or anything homemade. Farm cooperatives are now widespread and a membership  will provide  fresh local vegetables and support farmers.

6. A Night Out – This can include movie passes, restaurant gift certificates, and even babysitting services.

7. Donations/Memberships to Environmental Organizations – These can be very meaningful  to both the organization and your loved one. Consider symbolic adoptions of animals for rescue/wildlife groups and concepts like symbolic donations of medical care, education and sustainable food/enterprise to developing countries. Our wildlife rehabilitation centre produces a wildlife calendar as an education tool each year , featuring  past patients . Supporters have purchased this as a holiday gift and it has become a major fundraiser for us.  Supporting Nature Canada is a great a way to help protect local wildlife and habitat.

8. Green Up Your Traditional Gifts – If you generally buy clothing or bath products , purchase items made from organic cotton, bamboo or hemp, and choose bath and cosmetic products made from ethically sourced ingredients that are not tested on animals. Local crafts are always good choices too.

9. Wildlife Friendly Gifts – A gift certificate for trees,  shrubs , plants or gardening services redeemable in the spring will provide habitat for local wildlife. Tuck this in a  basket of gardening tools. Bird feeders and nest boxes are great presents too and will provide years of enjoyment.

10. Educational Gifts – Think about books on environmental topics,  vegetarian cooking, or even an e-reader.  Gift certificates to workshops, courses, or lessons that fit your recipient are also fun. Maybe they have always wanted to  learn to ski,  make pottery, build bird houses,  cook,  weave, etc.

11. Gifts of Time and Memories – Creative gifts include  handmade gift certificates for things like babysitting, cooking a meal, pampering, or yard care. A CD ,  DVD , or album featuring a compilation of family photos or videos is a cherished gift. Also remember that the holiday season is a particularly difficult time of year for some people , so remember to visit, contact, or include these people in festivities if possible.

Happy Holidays and have a safe and Happy New Year!

5 Tips for Nature-friendly Spring Cleaning

It's the time of year when we want to start fresh, shake off the chill of the past winter, and brighten up our surroundings. It's time for spring cleaning!

It's easy to clean your home using items you already have in your kitchen cupboard. These five solutions should tackle most of the cleaning jobs around the house, leaving both you and nature happier this season.

1. All-purpose cleaner. A 1:1 mix of white vinegar and water in a spray bottle will tackle most household cleaning chores. If you don't like the smell of vinegar, add a few drops of your favourite essential oil (choose tea tree oil if you're looking for a natural disinfectant). Also use vinegar to clean stainless steel appliances, chrome fixtures, and to remove rust.

2. Add some elbow grease. For those spots that need an extra scrub, sprinkle a bit of baking soda over the surface and before washing with a damp cloth. Apply a bit of pressure and watch a natural shine come through. This pantry staple acts as a scouring powder, fungicide and can also be used as a polish.

3. Scrubbing the tub. Remove mildew from the bathroom with a paste of borax or some grapefruit seed extract (available from health stores). You can also spray the shower curtain with vinegar – see the all-purpose cleaner above – to remove any residue. Calcium stains can be removed with a vitamin C solution: just pop a vitamin tablet into water and soak the affected area overnight; in the morning, the stain should wipe away.

4. Wood that shines. Traditional wood polishing sprays leave a cloud of chemicals in the air rather than treating your furniture. Mix up your own polish with 1 cup of olive oil and a squirt of lemon. Rub on to your treasured pieces with a soft cloth to restore their glow.

5. Skip the disposables. Dedicate some reusable cloths to cleaning instead, and run them through the washing machine (cold water, line dry!) when they get a bit grubby. If you're looking for added cleaning power, microfiber cloths have a natural charge that attracts dust and can be used dry or damp. Even better, make your own cloths from old towels and keep even more waste out of the landfill.

Did you forget about Earth Day?

Don't despair if you missed last week's celebration of the planet. You can choose to make a difference any day of the year. An easy way to green your lifestyle is to go back to basics: follow the three Rs - with an extra C.

It may seem elementary, but remembering to reduce, reuse and recycle is one of the best ways we can help the planet. It’s also important to follow them in order:

Reduce – Before you purchase something new, ask yourself if you really need it. Is there another option that would have a lesser impact on the environment? Buy things in bulk when you can to cut down on waste from packaging.

Reuse – Once you’re done with an item, think about whether or not it has any other uses. Empty yogurt containers can be used to start seeds and plastic bags have many potential uses. If you can’t use it, find out if there’s someone who can; for example, books can be donated to the local library or a community sale.

Recycle – When a product is finally coming to the end of its lifecycle, look into whether or not it can be recycled. Most municipalities collect paper, cardboard, cans and glass; check to see which plastics are collected locally (the plastic number is usually on the bottom of the container). Don’t forget about items like printer cartridges and paint – there are often special drop-offs for these materials where they can be collected and refurbished or repurposed.

Compost – Although it isn’t traditional to include composting with the three Rs, it’s an important step in diverting more waste from the landfill. If your community collects kitchen and yard waste, make sure to fill the bin and put it out for pickup. You can also start your own compost at home, either using a vermicomposter (composting with worms!) or a traditional yard bin. Composting allows you to reclaim some nutrients to make a rich soil for your garden and keeps waste that can easily decompose out of the landfill.

What do you do to make Earth Day every day? Let us know in the comments below.

Top Tips for Nature-friendly Spring Cleaning

It's the time of year when we want to start fresh, shake off the chill of the past winter, and brighten up our surroundings. It's time for spring cleaning!

It's important to think about the effects on the environment as we clean our homes. Commercial cleaners that end up running down the drain with our wash water can end up in rivers and lakes. Harsh chemicals and artificial scents can become airborne, harming our own health and that of wildlife in our neighbourhoods. One-time use solutions clutter landfill sites.

It's easy to clean your home using items you already have in your kitchen cupboard. These solutions should start to tackle cleaning jobs around the house, leaving both you and nature happier this season.

All-purpose cleaner
A 1:1 mix of white vinegar and water in a spray bottle will tackle most household cleaning chores. If you don't like the smell of vinegar, add a few drops of your favourite essential oil (choose tea tree oil if you're looking for a natural disinfectant). Also use vinegar to clean stainless steel appliances, chrome fixtures, and to remove rust.

Wood that shines
Traditional wood polishing sprays leave a cloud of chemicals in the air rather than treating your furniture. Mix up your own polish with 1 cup of olive oil and a squirt of lemon. Rub on to your treasured pieces with a soft cloth to restore their glow.

One of our eNews readers, Patricia, prefers to use pure coconut oil instead of olive oil for polishing wood surfaces. Let us know if you have any other natural alternatives to these tips!

Skip the disposables
Dedicate some reusable cloths to cleaning, and run them through the washing machine (cold water, line dry!) when they get a bit grubby. If you're looking for added cleaning power, microfiber cloths have a natural charge that attracts dust and can be used dry or damp. Even better, make your own cloths from old towels and keep even more waste out of the landfill.

You can check out more nature-friendly cleaning tips here, and don't forget to leave your favourite suggestions in the comments below!

Sources:
1,001 Ways to Save the Earth by Joanna Yarrow
Ecoholic by Adria Vasil