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I love surprises, so using some kind of
wrapping adds to the fun of giving a present.
What I hate is seeing so much beautiful paper being ripped up and tossed aside. And I just can't get beyond the fact that making paper is one of the most polluting industries on earth. The less I use, the better. Hence, my list of green wrapping paper alternatives: Reusable cloth bag These Envirosax bags (see photo) can be used all year long. $7.95 - $8.50 Bring It in a Bag also makes wonderful wraps. Reusable shopping bag - $.99 at almost any grocery store. Holiday gift bags - free; reused from gifts people have given me; put tissue paper on top for a festive flair. Homemade gift bags - cost only the price of fabric (free if you reuse what you already have); my neighbor makes gift bags of all sizes from beautiful but inexpensive holiday swatches she buys at the local craft store. Use pinking shears to give the top edge some pzazz after you sew the other three sides together, then bunch the top and tie with a reusable ribbon. Reused gift wrap - free (I "capture" it as it's coming off the present, fold it up, and put it in a box so I can easily find and reuse it next year). Some families reuse the same "Santa paper" year after year, to their kids' delight! New gift wrap - Pristine Planet offers recycled, recylable paper online. If you're buying wrapping paper at the mall, ask the sales clerk for the most eco-friendly option they sell. Kitchen towels - ideally, made from organic cotton, but anything reusable works. Scarves - rather than wrap an entire box, tie a decorative scarf around the box and attach a tag made from a recycled gift card. Sunday comics - free; add a holiday flair with a colorful red or green ribbon. As for gift tags, reuse last year's holiday cards. Cut off the card that has the signature, thread a ribbon through a corner of the remaining card, and voila! One caveat about printed wrapping paper: the inks and foils may contain chemicals that become toxic when burned. If you can't reuse the paper, don't burn it: recycle. |
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Want more ideas to help you celebrate the holidays in
a simpler, greener way?
* Start with these simple suggestions from the Center for a New American Dream. * Find organic or locally grown Christmas trees here. * Consider holiday candles made from soy or beeswax. * Try LED lights. |
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Back to One
in a Million for a minute. The
holidays offer a prefect opportunity to shift spending to
products and services that offer the greatest
environmental benefit. Don't forget to ask, "Can I Get It
In Green?" when you shop. Keep track of how you've
shifted your spending, and let me know at
[email protected]. We'd love to
brag
about your good deeds on the Big Green Purse
website.
Talk to you again soon,
Diane MacEachern
Big Green Purse
email:
[email protected]
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