Think GREEN this Holiday Season

The Holidays are here again. Did you know that American's discard an additional 25% more trash between Thanksgiving and New Years? Thats about an extra 25 million tons headed for the landfill.

Here are a few tips to lessen your impact on the earth this Holiday season:

• E-mail your Holiday greetings this year. If you do buy cards make sure they are recycled ( as well as the envelopes)
• When shopping for gifts remember to bring your own reusable shopping bag to hold your purchases
• Look for gifts that come in minimal packaging or use recycled packaging
• Decorate reusable boxes or gift bags that can be used year after year
• Re-use wrapping paper. There are also some beautiful recycled papers now
• Replace incandescent string lights with their LED (light emitting diode) counterparts. They use up to 95% less electricity, last 10 times longer, and produce very little heat making them safer
• Buy a living Christmas tree in a pot. When it outgrows the living room you can plant it outdoors
• Recycle you cut tree. You can call 1-800- CLEANUP or go to www.earth911.org to find a tree recycling program near you