Happy Holidays! Rethink Your Gift!

The holidays is a time for family, friends and giving. Here are a few interesting details about the holiday season and giving:

o  The average child will accumulate 238 toys by the time they are 10 years old and they will only play with about 12 of them.

o   Each year the average American throws away 65 pounds (29 kg) of clothing.

o   Americans spend $1.2 trillion annually on nonessential goods—in other words, items they do not need ; Americans spend more on shoes, jewelry, and watches ($100 billion) than on higher education

o   Did you know that the US produces 25% more trash between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Eve? That adds up to an extra 7 million pounds of waste! Aside from straining the environment through disposable wrapping paper, decorations, party supplies, our country’s carbon footprint spikes with increased travel. Find out how you, your family, and your business can reduce environmental impact this holiday season.

Here’s what you can do instead:

o   Upcycle your old magazine, fabric or newspapers and use them as wrapping paper

o   Don’t buy a gift but instead offer your time and services

o Volunteer at your local church or community center to help collect gifts for our military, along with     underprivileged youth, neighborhoods

o Encourage your workplace or neighborhood community to turn it into a group activity

o   Buy a gift that gives back to your local community such as a gift certificate to a local small business

With these tips and tricks, you can have a sustainable holiday season. Happy holidays from our USGCC family to yours!

By: Erin Kelley

In addition, to thinking about WHAT you’re giving, think about WHERE you’re getting your gifts! You can be a conscious consumer and support businesses that support the environment!