One hint from Lime Green Solutions: Don’t use tinsel on your tree. Not only will it render your tree un-recyclable, it’s difficult to re-use next year. Instead, think about garlands and strings of cranberries or popcorn (which can be composted afterwards).

Lime Green Christmas
Just as companies now adopt a sustainability plan, so you too can reduce your environmental impact at home, without sacrificing the festive mood

story by BEVERLY CRAMP

The festive season often is as materialistic as it is merry. What with the massive rush into stores to buy something special for that someone special, or whomever we are beholden to give gifts to, it’s no wonder this busiest period for most retailers is not an environmentally “green” time of the year.

If we try to apply the three R’s of good environmental stewardship – reduce, re-use and recycle – what does that mean? Spend less, re-gift or give second-hand items? Buy “green” gifts?

I had a friend once who gave her hapless boyfriend a planted tree as a Christmas present; she paid a non-profit tree-planting organization to plant a tree in the boyfriend’s name – the idea being that if money was going to be spent on gifts, make it a green gift that will benefit the environment and make the recipient feel good about doing something worthwhile.

What was good for the gander was not good for the goose in this instance. My friend expected in return, and got, expensive clothing and jewelry. She wasn’t interested in having gifts to her go towards the betterment of society.

I don’t blame my friend for being seduced by pretty baubles. The fact is it’s hard to be green in a consumer-driven world. Partly, that is because there are few set solutions to living a greener lifestyle for every circumstance. Every place, every situation demands its own special response. For example, you may want to buy energy-efficient appliances in Vancouver. The problem is those appliances usually have to be shipped from far away, making their overall environmental footprint larger.

A new Vancouver company has set up shop to help householders and businesses make good environmental choices. Called Lime Green Solutions, the company was founded by a group of six diverse individuals whose backgrounds include engineering, geology, arts school (art-training is great for learning to think outside the box) and logistics. As their promotional literature says: “We will bridge the gap between you, a member of the eco-conscious community, and the emerging green market, with a sustainability management plan tailored to the needs of your home or business.”

VLM asked Lime Green to provide some easy ways that householders can reduce their environmental impact this Christmas and still stay in the festive mood. Here’s their advice:

n Wrapping paper is recyclable in Vancouver. A better alternative however is to not use it at all. Be creative and re-use newspapers or try wrapping presents in new towels, bed linens or cloth grocery bags, which also double as a second gift.

n Choose LED Christmas lights if you are buying new ones this year. They use about 95 per cent less energy than old-fashioned incandescent lights. Put Christmas lights on a timer so that they turn on just when it gets dark and turn off just after you go to bed.

n Buy local food for your holiday dinner. Not only will you be helping the environment by reducing the distance your dinner has to travel to your table, you will be supporting local B.C. farmers. In Vancouver get a wild range organic turkey from Hills Foods: hillsfoods.com

n Instead of buying a gift that involves lots of packaging and shipping consider donating the cash you would normally spend. Many organizations will let you donate in your friends’ and family members’ names and will send them a free e-mail notification or card or certificate on a date of your choice.

n Make sure to recycle your Christmas tree. The City of Vancouver will do it for you if you place it out with your yard trimmings (vancouver.ca/engsvcs/solidwaste/christmasTree.htm). It’s debatable whether plastic is better than real as far as Christmas trees go, but LGS recommends real trees as long as they are recycled because manufacturing plastic trees uses a lot of energy and petroleum-based products.

n Don’t use tinsel on your tree. Not only will it render your tree un-recyclable, it’s difficult to re-use next year. Instead, think about garlands and strings of cranberries or popcorn (which can be composted afterwards).

n Use pure beeswax or other candles containing few additives with cotton wicks in your menorah this year. While research about what candles do to the air quality in your home is inconclusive, you’ll probably breathe a little easier knowing that you’re not burning petroleum-based products in your home.