The hustle and bustle of the holiday season can not only weigh you down, but also the environment.
So after taking down the tinsel and lights and getting back into a routine, you can make a few easy changes to that routine that will help sustain the environment:
1. Recycle Your Christmas Tree—"Don't forget to recycle," said Angelo DelBargo, General Foreman of Sanitation and Recycling in Harrison. "With the holidays people will be doing a lot of entertaining with a lot of products, so that could lead to more recycling."
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The Sanitation Department will be picking up trees from Jan. 3-28. Trees may be placed on the curbside for pickup. Do not place in plastic bags. For more info call the Harrison Department of Public Works at 914-670-3100.
2. Remember which wrappings to recycle—Most gift wrapping sold in stores is not recyclable, but alternative wrappings like comic sections of newspapers, bandannas, dish rags or children's artwork can be reused or recycled.
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Harrison also recycles glass, bulk metal and non-wax coated cardboard. Recycling is picked up Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays. All must be separated in containers and put out before 6:30 a.m.
3. Use Energy Saving or LED Lights—LED lights use 90 percent less energy than conventional lights and saves families up to 50 percent on energy bills, according to the the Sierra Club. You can make the switch and pick up LED lights at Silverlake Hardware in Harrison, as well as major retail stores.
4. Add Organic or Local Foods to Your Shopping Cart—Instead of eating a lot of heavy foods and sweets, consume more grains, veggies and fruits. These foods are beneficial to the body and the planet because they are free of toxins and pesticides.
5. Think "green" for future gift giving events—Give gifts that are homemade, organic or straight from the heart. Instead of spending your money on something in cardboard and plastic packaging that will be covered in paper, consider gifts without the environmentally costly trimmings.
Offer to babysit, bake a gift or even make donation to a nonprofit in a loved one's name.
