Cut back on holiday waste
The holiday season is a joyful time
of year. But the weeks between
Thanksgiving and New Year’s
Day also tend to be very wasteful.
The U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency estimates that household
waste increases by more than 25 percent
during the holiday season.
Reducing waste come the holiday
season does not mean celebrants
have to forgo big family meals or
beautifully wrapped gifts. In fact,
there are several ways to reduce
waste without spoiling the spirit of
the season:
Give eco-conscious gifts. The
environment may not be the fi rst
thing that comes to mind when holiday
shoppers are looking for gifts for
their loved ones. But giving reusable
gifts can have a positive, long-term
impact on the planet. Reusable coffee
mugs or water bottles can dramatically
reduce waste over time,
and such items make great stocking
stuffers. Shoppers also can look for
items made from recycled materials,
which run the gamut from home furnishings
to calendars to clothing, as
eco-friendly alternatives to gifts produced
without the environment in
mind.
Reuse holiday-specifi c items.
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Many people only use gift wrap,
gift boxes, and gift bags during the
holiday season. Such items are oftentimes
discarded after Christmas
morning. But these items can be reused
to cut back on holiday waste.
Reusing wrapping paper from year
to year can be especially benefi cial
to the environment. That’s because
wrapping paper tends to be dyed or
laminated, and many wrapping papers
contain non-paper additives
that cannot be recycled. Reusing
wrapping paper, purchasing only recyclable
paper, or wrapping gifts in
old newspapers or magazines can
help holiday celebrants reduce their
carbon footprints.
Prepare less food and donate
any leftovers. The Worldwatch Institute
notes that, during the holiday
season, celebrants generate three
times as much food waste as they do
during other times of the year. Large
family meals are a tradition of the
holiday season, but hosts who routinely
fi nd themselves discarding
leftovers can plan on preparing less
food this year. Consider how much
guests are likely to eat and plan
meals accordingly instead of buying
enough food to feed a small army. Donate
leftovers to nearby shelters so
nothing goes to waste.
Recycle live Christmas trees.
According to the National Christmas
Tree Association, 25.9 million real
trees were sold in the United States
in 2015. Trees put out on the curb
for collection after the holiday season
typically end up in landfi lls, but
some communities recycle Christmas
trees each year. Real tree enthusiasts
can contact community offi -
cials to determine if they can recycle
rather than discard their trees.
The holiday season is a wasteful
time of year, but there are ways for
celebrants to dramatically reduce
their carbon footprints between
Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day.
HOLIDAY GUIDE
9921 FOURTH AVENUE, BROOKLYN, NY 11209
MAIN: 718.833.7616
COSMETIC: 718.833.2793
www.BayRidgeDerm.com
Gift
certifi cates
available
for the
Holidays
Union Church of Bay Ridge
7915 Ridge Blvd.
Advent & Christmas Calendar
Winter Songs: A Holiday Concert in Collaboration with PhiloSonia
Dec. 16th, 3 p.m. The Union Church Choir presents Winter Songs, a holiday concert
with musicians of PhiloSonia. PhiloSonia is a Brooklyn-based chamber music
ensemble led by violinist Stanichka Dimitrova, aiming to connect audience members
personally with classical music. This year, we’re excited to present Holst’s “Christmas
Day”, Schumann Piano Quintet, and selections from Bach’s Christmas Cantatas and
Ola Gjeilo’s Winter Songs. Suggested donation: $15.
Blue Christmas Worship
Dec. 19th, 7 p.m. For those who
have lost a loved one during the
year, or who have always struggled
to find the joy in Christmas,
the season can feel lonely and
difficult. This worship sets aside
a sacred time and space for those
with these challenges to anticipate
and honor the coming of the
Christ child, in a more solemn
and reflective setting.
Christmas Eve Family
Candlelight Worship
Dec. 24th, 5 p.m. Our
traditional worship service
of Christmas scriptures,
carols and hymns culminating
in the lighting of
candles to welcome and
honor the coming of the
Christ child. Children’s
attendance is welcomed
and encouraged!
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