Make It a Green Holiday

Published by julia | Filed under Pinellas County Homes, Real Estate, Shout Outs

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), household waste increases by more than 25% from Thanksgiving to New Years Day.  Food waste, shopping bags, packaging, wrapping paper, bows and ribbons adds up to an additional 1 million tons a week to our landfills.

To do your part in making this holiday season a little “greener”, check out the Pinellas County Utilities website . It offers an A-to-Z guide to recycling providing information on how to recycle and safely dispose of just about anything in Pinellas County. The site also offers information by city on curbside and drop-off programs in Pinellas County. For example, for as little as $15 a month, you can have mixed paper, newspaper, plastic, glass (all colors), steel and aluminum picked-up weekly at your home or business in St Petersburg.

 

Another way to make it a green holiday is to use reusable bags when shopping. In addition, when making buying choices this holiday season (and all year long), consider what you are buying. Look at the amount of packaging, and think about where that extra packaging will end up.  You can also make your gift-giving greener by considering these environmentally friends gift ideas:

·         A rain barrel

·         Battery re-charger

·         A gift-basket of green cosmetics

·         A picnic basket filled with re-usable plates, cloth napkins, to-go cutlery, etc.

·         A selection of Fair-Trade coffees and chocolates

·         A gift-certificate for green-certified products

·         Make a contribution to a charitable organization in the name of your recipient

When entertaining, use the china and linen instead of paper items to avoid sending holiday plates, bowls and napkins to the landfill. If you are the guest, bring gifts in re-usable containers (gift bags or, if you are bringing food, a reusable plastic container or your own dish that you plan on retrieving later.)

When planning holiday feast choices and purchases, remember to buy fresh and local. Visit Florida-Agriculture.com and learn about seasonal availability of Florida crops and other agricultural products. If meat makes your meal, consider purchasing from a local butcher. You can order in advance, precisely what you want and when you want it. Ask your butcher to forgo the plastic foam containers when wrapping your order, opting for butcher’s paper instead. From seafood to sprouts to wine, you can easily support Florida agriculture, our local economy and protect the environment this holiday season.