Recycle Your Christmas

We all love our Christmas trees. Sometimes the hunt for the perfect specimen takes us into nature itself, trudging up the hills through rain or snow, where we can actually cut it down ourselves-a hands-on approach that's both invigorating and rewarding.

Other times, our chase takes us across town to a converted tree lot next to a Burger King.

But when the holidays are over and you've removed the garland, lights, and ornaments, how do you dispose of your tree in a manner that's also good for the environment?

By recycling it, of course.

Local city and town governments across the country offer services (probably free-of-charge) to dispose of your Christmas tree in an environmentally friendly way. The services assigned for tree pick-up can range from a city organization to a local Boy Scout troop, and the trees are often turned into mulch for a number of uses, like ground cover for neighborhood parks.

Learn about your area by visiting the web site Earth911.com, which helps locate recycling centers for everything from hazardous materials and paint to batteries and light bulbs-and, yes, even Christmas trees. Just enter your zip code for the services and locations available in your area.

Recycling isn't just for Christmas trees, though. There are plenty of opportunities to make your holiday season more eco-friendly.

Gift wrapping: After the tsunami of holiday gifts is opened, the pile of once-used wrapping paper left could sadden even the jolliest of elves. Much of it can be recycled, but the glossy, dye-filled gift-wrapping cannot be reused and must be dumped in the traditional garbage.

Here are some suggestions that might help you feel better when wrapping gifts:

* Buy recycled wrapping paper. That way you know it's OK to put in the good bin.
* Use newspaper. Are the Kings really that far back in the NBA standings? Put that sports section to good use by doubling it up as wrapping paper. Newspaper can also be composted when you're done.
* Boxed in. From shoeboxes to those tiny cereal boxes, these are great gift receptacles.
* Save the wrapping paper. My mom did this for years while I was growing up. But even with a gaggle of eager grandchildren shredding through the paper from gift to gift, she hasn't given up trying. What perseverance!
* Reusable bags. My wife and I have swapped out wrapping paper with our new tradition, the reusable bag. Our large stash of ChicoBags is perfect for birthdays and should be ideal for our Christmas cache, as well.

Holiday photo cards: Receiving a holiday photo card is a ritual that everyone likes. New faces, grown-up children and cute animals dressed up in fuzzy outfits help make a highly anticipated tradition. This year try something different by repurposing the holiday photo cards.

Use the photos from friends and loved ones this year for gifts for those same folks next year. Coasters, placemats, framed photo cards and calendars are just a few ideas.

With all of the pageantry and elements that go into Christmas, there are clear opportunities for easing up on Mother Nature.

Until next time, Happy Home Improving (and Merry Christmas)!

by : Sean A Murphy

Eco-Friendly Home Building Supplies

There are several home improvement measures that must be taken in order to prevent the deterioration that has been rusting our environment since countless decades. Home building supplies that are eco-friendly or are environmentally healthy and safe must be preferred over others. This is crucial factor that determines the overall welfare of our environment and the benefit of the global life.

In order to streamline the environment, one has to be considerate towards the environmentally friendly home building materials. There are various factors that must be taken into account before finalizing anything in particular. There are various green products or environmentally friendly products that range from eco-friendly material for construction to different sources of energy that can replace environmentally detrimental products. The eco-friendly product line is also termed as the green products. Due to global warming and other factors such as the depletion of energy resources all around the world, the energy crisis has become an imploring truth. The governments and other social welfare institutions are convinced about changing the way of planning out energy resources, etc.

There are various ways through which you can easily find the environmentally friendly methods of home building. You can replace the home flooring or other materials to environmentally friendlier materials or eco-friendly products. When you are thinking of replacing the wood flooring or carpeting you may want to consider products that are approved by FSC. Also you must demand from the manufacturer or distributors the eco-friendly products in all domains. Going to a nearby shop is also environmentally friendly. The more you stay considerate about these factors the more it will prove to be beneficial for the environment. So, dive in the race of eco-friendly home building materials and purchase something that is green friendly and adds to the environment in a positive way. The more you strive the more beneficial it will be for the environment.

by : Luke Patel