NATASHA AIMEE HALL
Freelance

Thursday, December 14, 2006


On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me ... a free-range organic turkey. Not so catchy? At a time of the year that often seems to have become all about decadence and excess, you can start dreaming of a green Christmas instead. And we're not talking about a lack of snow (nature seems to be taking care of that), but having an eco-friendly holiday season. It's not hard, and, best of all, you'll get a good feeling from having done something to help our beleaguered environment.

1. Cut down a tree What?! It sounds like a strange way to be environmentally friendly, but real Christmas trees are a renewable, recyclable resource, whereas artificial trees contain non-biodegradable plastics (PVC). Almost all trees harvested in Canada are from tree farms, where up to three seedlings are planted for each tree cut down. The industry creates thousands of seasonal jobs - more than 600 in the Gaspe region alone, according to L'Union des Producteurs Agricoles. So, go ahead, cut down a tree yourself just outside the city at Plantation JLS (www.sapinsdenoeljls.ca ) or buy a potted balsam fir from a local nursery.

2. Light it up It's time to replace those old tangled strings of half-burned-out bulbs with shiny new LED lights that use up to 90 per cent less electricity. They're available everywhere from Home Depot to Costco and Canadian Tire; use them with a timer to save even more energy.

3. Step away from the tinsel! Not only is tinsel made from fossil fuels - it's plastic now instead of metal - but trees cannot be recycled if they have tinsel or fake snow left on their branches. Instead, decorate your home with garlands of popcorn or cranberries and homemade ornaments. The Biosphere (514-283-5000; www.biosphere.ec.gc.ca ) is holding workshops until Jan. 7 on how to make your own eco-friendly decorations and giftwrap.

4. Greeting cards, schmeeting cards Don't send any. If that's too scroogy for you, buy cards made from recycled products, re-use old cards or send e-cards instead. Vert Tendre cards (www.vertendre.com ) are designed by local artists, are bleach and acid free and are made from 100-per-cent post-consumer recycled fibres. Available at Renaud Bray stores. Better yet - just call.

5. Green gifts It's the thought that counts, right? Think about giving gifts that are environmentally responsible. Atelier Entre-Peaux (514-577-3589; www.atelier-entre-peaux.com ) creates hats using up to 95 per cent recycled materials. Green Beaver Apres Ski skin-care products (www.greenbeaver.com) are all-Canadian and all-natural. Or make your gifts: Knit a sweater, put together a photo album or give activity gifts like tickets to a concert, lawncutting vouchers or a homemade dinner. Gift certificates are also a great way to give without excess packaging.

6. Wrap it up All that wrapping paper and ribbon and all that waste. Get creative with gift wrap by using children's artwork, cloth or wallpaper remnants, re-usable gift bags and recycling old wrapping paper. Make the wrap part of the gift by using dishtowels for household items or receiving blankets for baby gifts. Fabric ribbon is a greener choice, too, as people are much more likely to save and re-use it.

7. Be Santa Okay, maybe you don't have the beard and the belly, but how about the spirit? Places like the Old Brewery Mission and the Salvation Army are always looking for donations of coats, socks, sleeping bags, non-perishable food items or money. You could also opt to sponsor a less-fortunate family and buy gifts for those who really need them. It's a great way to re-use and recycle.

8. Gobble it up Ferme Morgan organic wild turkeys (819-687-2434; www.fermemorgan.com) are free of all that unappetizing stuff like chemical fertilizers, pesticides, steroids and synthetic roughage. These turkeys are good for your family and good for the environment. They're available at Co-op La Maison Verte (514-489-8000; 5785 Sherbrooke St. W.).

9. Go local Shopping for products produced locally not only helps support the local economy but cuts down emissions from transportation. Delicious regional and seasonal products can be found at Atwater Market and Marche Jean Talon. The Salon des Metiers d'art du Quebec (www.salondesmetiersdart.com ) at Place Bonaventure, which opened on Dec. 2, is the place to find truly unique gifts made by local artisans. It is open every day from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday to Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday, until Dec. 21, when the salon also closes at 6 p.m. It's free to get in.

10. Get together It's one party after the other all month long. You can try your best to cut down on excessive car use by arranging to go to a party with other guests, using public transit or taking the train to get to destinations. You'll enjoy the nog upon arrival all the more knowing that you did something good for the environment.

11. Less is more It's supposed to be cold - it is winter after all. Lower thermostats, put on an extra sweater and invite more friends over to generate heat and save energy. Compact fluorescent bulbs use up to 75 per cent less electricity, according to Hydro-Quebec. Or light candles to add a little romance and really heat things up!

12. Waste not want not Phew! You made it through the holidays. Just one thing left - the tree. Recycled trees in Montreal are mostly converted to woodchips used for mulching. The city of Montreal has scheduled tree pickups on Jan. 10 and 17. Call Access Montreal at 514-872-3434 to confirm tree-recycling dates for your neighbourhood.

- Web Links: For a roundup of the website links mentioned in this story, or to share your suggestions for a greener Christmas, go to Editor's Picks.

© The Gazette (Montreal) 2006