‘Tis the season… to celebrate, shop, and eat! As we prepare to bestow gifts upon and feast with our friends and loved ones during the upcoming holidays, let’s be mindful of our actions and their environmental impact during this joyous season. Here are a few things to keep in mind as we celebrate:
Shop Local
If you live here, shop here! Charlottesville is a wealth of local talent, handmade wares, charming shops, and locally sourced food. Order some goodies for your Thanksgiving feast through UVA-alumnus-owned Relay Foods, then visit the many local shops offering Black Friday deals, or pick up some one-of-a-kind gifts from the dozens of locally owned shops on “Small Business Saturday.” I know a few of our commercial tenants at McIntire Plaza are going to have some great deals!
Recycle, Recycle, Recycle
Cards and wrapping paper abound during the holiday season. Most of these materials should be recyclable (as long as there is no plastic embossing, foil, etc), but also consider reusing wrapping paper (who cares if it’s a little wrinkly? It gives it character!), re-purpose the fronts of cards and use them as gift tags. Get creative! And be sure when purchasing you are looking for items made with recycled paper.
Reusable Bags: Use them
Then re-use them! As you run around town gathering food and gifts (all locally sourced, of course), remember your cloth totes and bags and try not to contribute to the trillion-plus plastic bags that are used worldwide each year. Let’s put those eco-bags that are often forgotten in the backseat of the car to use.
Unplug the Lights
First of all, try to decorate with more efficient LED lights as they use significantly less energy than the old fashioned incandescent bulbs. Whichever type you use, be sure you only use them when someone is around to appreciate them!
We hope everyone enjoys the holidays in an eco-friendly way! Happy Holidays!
