Monday, December 07, 2015
Ontario Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Rejoice!
Top 10 Tips for a Greener Holiday
Help keep this holiday season merry and bright by making environmentally friendly choices to help fight climate change and keep Ontario's air, land, and water clean.
- Choose energy-efficient holiday lights and put them on timers to save on electricity bills.
- Reduce waste by sending holiday greeting cards electronically, or pick cards printed on recycled paper.
- Choose a real, Ontario-grown Christmas tree from a local tree farm or retailer.
- Make your holiday travel as green and safe as possible. Carpool or take public transit to holiday parties. If you have to fly over the holidays, consider purchasing carbon offsets.
- Make your festive dinners environmentally friendly while supporting local businesses. Choose from Ontario's wide range of local foods available in December.
- Shop local or buy gifts made from Ontario wood or recycled non-toxic plastic.
- Keep batteries out of landfills by giving gifts that don't need batteries. If you need batteries, make them rechargeable.
- Get creative with your wrapping. Reuse paper from household items like calendars, newspapers and fabric or decorate brown craft paper that can go in the Blue Box. Reuse your wrapping paper for other holiday decorating.
- Buy gifts with less packaging, and recycle when you can.
- Bring your own reusable shopping bags to stores.
Quick Facts:
- A carbon offset is a credit for greenhouse gas reductions and can be bought through a number of international brokers or online retailers.
- Buying local boosts our economy, promotes sustainability and helps the environment.
- It takes up to 20 years to offset the environmental impact of a plastic Christmas tree instead of real ones.
- LED lights use 80 per cent less energy than incandescent bulbs and last more than 25 times longer.
- Bonus tip - give the gift of time with loved ones with an unforgettable Ontario experience.
Additional Resources:
Quotes:
"This holiday season is the perfect time to start some new traditions and customs that are fun, sustainable and support Ontario businesses. Whether with your family or on your own, supporting local economies and being environmentally friendly is a great way to celebrate the holidays. This can include giving gifts from local merchants or farmers, purchasing carbon offsets for long distance travel or even spending time with loved ones at any one of Ontario’s many festivities this season."
— Glen Murray, Minister of the Environment and Climate Change
Media Contacts:
David Mullock
Minister’s Office
416-212-7307
david.mullock@ontario.ca
Kate Jordan
Communications Branch
416-314-6666
kate.jordan@ontario.ca
|