Did you know that holiday trees, food, wrapping paper and even greeting cards can have a huge and negative impact on the environment? The excesses of Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and other year-end holidays add about 25 percent more waste to landfills than during any other period, according to a study by Stanford University. Dallas College’s Lori Delacruz Lewis, assistant director of sustainability for education, recently offered tips for those who want to celebrate the holidays sustainably:
- Opt for a real Christmas tree and natural wreath. Both can be recycled into mulch (see below for information about Richardson’s Tree Cycling program)
- Choose LED lights for holiday decorating, and put them on a timer
- Set up a small recycle bin in your kitchen at holiday parties
- Recycle wrapping paper, holiday cards and cardboard boxes (Note that foil-topped wrapping paper or cards/envelopes that feature foil are not recyclable. See below for information about Richardson’s Holiday Box Recycling program.)
- Use cloth napkins and non-disposable dishes and utensils at holiday dinners
Website: It’s the Most Wasteful Time of the Year … – News – Dallas College
