Three ideas for having a more eco-friendly Christmas:

Buy local Christmas trees to support independent farmers, stop developers

I believe in supporting local any way I can. Sometimes, it’s by buying food from local producers.

Sometimes, it’s by choosing a cup of coffee from the independent, local coffee shop instead of a chain. Sometimes, it’s by going directly to a local winery to buy wine instead of buying from a discount wine seller.

And sometimes, it’s by paying a little more for my Christmas tree at a local tree farm instead of going to the nursery center of the big box hardware store to grab one.

There are about 1,000,000 acres of land dedicated to Christmas trees in the United States. A lot of the soil on those Christmas tree farms isn’t good for other agricultural endeavors. If not for those farms, the land might be sold off to developers and that open space would disappear.

Considering the fact that each acre of tree farm helps clean the air, reduce greenhouse gasses and gives off enough oxygen for 18 people, that would be a shame.

Just like other small farmers, the independent, small Christmas tree farmers around the country need our support so they can continue to help preserve open spaces and benefit the environment.

If you buy a real Christmas tree each year, please consider going directly to a tree farm to buy your tree this year instead of going to a big box store that sells trees.

Pickyourownchristmastree.org is a searchable site that helps you find the independent tree farmers in your region. Some of the farms allow you to go out in the field and chose a tree that they’ll cut down. Some have them cut for you already. Many of them have activities like hayrides or caroling on weekends.

Reduce unneeded packaging with Amazon’s new shipping

Amazon.com is making great strides to reduce waste and cut down on hassle this holiday season by introducing its “frustration-free packaging.”

The company is working with manufacturers to create boxes that can be safely shipped, cutting the need for an outer shipping box. They also have developed software that determines the best size box for an item, meaning you won’t get one tiny toy in a huge box surrounded by those plastic bags full of air or Styrofoam.

This packaging also is recyclable and comes without those huge plastic clamshell casings, plastic or wire ties. That way, customers can open it without a knife.

Amazon is using the new packaging on a number of toys, electronics and grocery products right now. The company will be continually expanding the program over the next couple of years to include all the items it ships.

Reuse cardboard for Christmas trees

Fake Christmas trees are generally frowned upon by environmentalists, since most are made in China of synthetic, plastic-y materials. But the newest trend in fake trees will have even the staunchest green enthusiast’s support because they are made of recycled cardboard.

CARDBOARD TREE
Made of recycled, corrugated cardboard, this tree stands 3 feet tall when assembled and can be painted and decorated either with the assortment of cardboard ornaments that arrive with the tree, or with your own decorations. Cost: $19.95.

Have a very tiny apartment? Then opt for The Small Cardboard Christmas Tree, which stands just 1 foot tall. The $9.95 price tag even includes free ground shipping. Find the trees on www.thecardboardtree.com.

CARDBOARD SAFARI
Always wanted just half a tree that’d lie flat against a wall? This Alpine tree can be assembled as a “more compact, wall hugging, 180 degree configuration” or a fuller 22 inches by 22 inches by 24 inches and 360 degrees.

Each tree costs $24; pick from plain brown or white cardboard. For more information visit www.cardboardsafari.com.

All these cardboard trees are made from recycled cardboard and packed flat for shipping. Post-holidays, you can re-flatten the trees for next year.