Saturday, January 8, 2011

Cape Cod Chronicle Column 12/9/10

GOD REST YE MERRY GENTLEMEN...
WATCH WHAT YOU THROW AWAY!



Forgive us our yuletide e-editing, and now let’s sit back and enjoy these tasty holiday morsels...

Eco-Friendly Wrapping Paper
Most mass-produced wrapping paper ends up in the trash. Instead, get creative! Consider reusable gift bags, newspaper, maps, magazines, comics, children’s art, old greeting cards or even fabric (new scarf, dish towel, bandana, etc.). If every family wrapped just three gifts this way, it would save enough paper to cover 45,000 football fields.  If you must buy gift-wrap, look for recycled - and ideally recyclable - paper. Avoid foil-wrap as it isn't recyclable at all. Use little or no tape if possible.

Energy-Saving Holiday Lights
A no-brainer - Less energy, lower bills!

Include Organic and Local Foods in Your Holiday Feast
Check it out!  http://www.ediblecommunities.com/capecod/resources/resources.htm

Get a Pesticide-Free Tree
Some  Christmas tree growers use 40 different pesticides, as well as chemical colorants. There are now a number of tree-farms that sell pesticide-free trees, so ask your local Christmas tree seller, or find an organic tree farm near you: http://www.localharvest.org

Recycle Your Christmas Tree
The real vs. artificial debate continues, both having their pros and cons. Some people put their live tree, roots and all, in a pot to replant outside after Christmas. Sadly, each year, 10 million Christmas trees end up in the trash, and there is no ‘pro’ in that. Take your tree to Chatham's Transfer Station for recycling into mulch or wood chips.

(multiple sources, including the Sierra Club)

                                                  Happy Holidays to All
                                           And one more important message....

                         WELCOME BACK, JEFF!  WE MISSED YOU!


ChathamRecycles.org
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