Dreaming of a "Green" Holiday
Monday, December 11, 2006
Las Vegas, NV - While the holidays are known for splurging, there are some easy ways Nevadans can cut back on waste and litter. The Sierra Club's Lydia Ball says Nevadans can save as much as $50 on their monthly utility bills with one simple change.
"We can buy energy-saving holiday lights, which are the compact fluorescent types, and we can get the little holiday lights to put outside or on our trees."
Ball says when the holidays are over, bring your Christmas tree to the any of 15 drop-off sites in Las Vegas or call your local government for disposal info. Instead of clogging up landfills, the trees will be converted into mulch.
Nevada families can conserve in another big way when it comes to wrapping gifts. Jennifer Hattam, Lifestyles Editor for Sierra Magazine, recommends skipping the conventional wrapping paper in favor of old maps, newspaper comics or children's artwork.
"Regular wrapping paper is usually not made out of recycled materials and often can't be recycled. If every family wrapped just three gifts in this more environmentally-friendly way, it could save enough paper to cover 45,000 football fields."
If you come from a family where the holiday dinner includes a heaping helping of strong opinions, Lydia Ball says you can bone up on your environmental talking points at www.sierraclub.org/Christmas. Look for the Holiday link called, "Get Ready for the Dinner Table Debate."
"It will go through a conversation, for example with Aunt Mim, who doesn't completely understand the global warming issue; if you're likely to be the lone environmentalist at the dinner table and want information in order to have a debate."
get more stories like this via email
Health and Wellness
The Missouri Legislature has approved a law to stop its Medicaid program known as MO HealthNet from paying Planned Parenthood for medical services for…
Environment
A round of public testimony wrapped up this week as part of renewed efforts by a company seeking permit approval in North Dakota for an underground pi…
Social Issues
Air travelers could face fewer obstacles in securing a refund if their flight is canceled or changed under new federal rules announced Wednesday…
Environment
An environmental group is suing the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to protect the Arkansas mudalia snail under the Endangered Species Act. In …
A coalition of climate groups seeking cleaner air at the rail yards and ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach will hold a "die-in" rally tomorrow at Los…
Health and Wellness
By Marianne Dhenin for Yes! Magazine.Broadcast version by Shanteya Hudson for Georgia News Connection reporting for the YES! Media-Public News …