Green Life: Less is the New More
Simplify the holidays with these tips.
Article by Jenny de Jesus, in partnership with Kokua Hawaii Foundation, Photos by David Croxford
Issue Date: (Wed) November 5, 2008
Simplify the holidays with these tips:1. Before buying new holiday decorations, try reusing some (or all) from the year before. Last year’s cards can be this year’s gift tags.
2. If you give out holiday cards, try photo cards—they are less likely to end up in the trash. To get the kids involved, help them craft their cards from reused materials.
5. Give a battery charger and rechargeable batteries with electronic gifts. A GREENER TREE
Instead of heading to an empty lot for a tree that was cut two months ago and looks a little worse for the wear after a long trip from the Mainland, consider a trip to Helemano Farms in Wahiawa for a locally grown tree. The trees don’t lose their needles and, because they are so fresh, they last more than a month with little water. When you’re done with your tree, take it back; Helemano recycles the trees into mulch for the farm. Trees start at $40. For more, visit www.helemanofarms.com. Have questions or suggestions about living an ecofriendly life? Send them to Jenny at jennydj@pacificbasin.net. For more about the Kokua Hawaii Foundation, vist: www.kokuahawaiifoundation.org. |
|
Don’t Fake ItArtificial trees may seem like a greener choice, but don’t be fooled. They are often made overseas with plenty of environmentally unfriendly materials, such as petroleum-derived PVC and lead, which can be harmful not only to the landfills the trees eventually end up in, but to the health of your family as well. Farmed trees, such as the ones from Helemano Farms, are grown specifically for the holiday season and cut in such a way that each stump will eventually grow into a new tree. For tree recycling drop-off sites around the Islands, visit www.earth911.org |
Calculators
How much paint do you really need? Floor tile? Use our calculators and find out for sure. Coming Soon!
calculate>>Resource Guide
Renovating? This must-have guide has more than 1,200 listings of trusted sources to get the job done right.
resource guide>>









