Solutions to make the holidays more environmentally friendly

The Issue

-Approximately 37 million Americans purchase disposable holiday trees annually.

-Americans send at least 2.6 billion holiday cards annually (most ending up in the garbage).

-During the holiday season, holiday lights in each home produce enough carbon dioxide to inflate 12 balloons.

-A typical holiday party of thirty guests can create 80 pounds of waste!

-Annually, Americans throw away 52 square miles of wrapping paper.

This article appears in Dec 16-22, 2009.