The holidays are a time of gifting thoughtful presents and adding festive decor inside and out. However, all the cheer often means a lot of “stuff.” And a lot of waste. Americans toss 1 million extra pounds of garbage each week between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day, according to the National Environmental Education Foundation.
Wondering how to channel your inner Santa without hurting Mother Nature? Use these tips and tricks to celebrate more sustainably this holiday season.
Deck the Halls With LED Lights
American cities shine 20 to 50 percent brighter from space between Thanksgiving and Christmas, according to NASA research. “While that can bring a lot of cheer during this dark time of the year, it also takes a lot of energy. LED bulbs use at least 75 percent less energy, so that’s a much smaller climate footprint and much lower bills,” said Darby Hoover, a senior resource specialist at the Natural Resources Defense Council.
Admittedly, the initial investment for strands of LED lights is higher (generally about $5 to $15 more for a strand of LED lights compared to conventional), but Hoover says the lower energy bill quickly makes up for the difference in upfront costs. “They also last a lot longer—up to 40 seasons—so you are saving money and sending fewer strands into the trash year after year,” she said.
