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According to recycleworks.org, 4 million tons of gift wrap, 1.9 billion Christmas Cards, 38,000 miles of ribbon, 30 million trees, and 28 billion pounds of edible food find its way into American landfills each year between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day. That's a million tons of garbage per week.

Maybe it's time to promote peace on earth in place of pieces of trash. Maybe it's time to celebrate the Immaculate Conception with immaculate receptacles. Maybe it's time to practice good will to garbage men by giving them less work. Maybe it's time to dream of a Green Christmas.

Maybe it's time for green gifts this holiday:

GIFT CARDS

Not only do gift cards guarantee the recipient will actually get something he or she wants, it cuts down on the amount of discarded presents that find there way into garbage bins. Gift cards save on gas as well. The green shopper can find a gift card for practically any business on-line. If computer shopping isn't your thing, major store chains carry gift cards for multiple businesses as well, even the competition, at one convenient location.

MEMBERSHIPS

Gift-giver s find memberships to clubs and organizations a greener way to shop. Access to fitness centers, country clubs, wholesale shopping outlets, day care, and museums provide year round benefits for the recipient without producing any trash. For the ultimate green giving, memberships to environmental organizations-think Sierra Club-or a National Parks Pass provide a constant reminder to preserve the splendor of our planet.

LOCAL GIFTS

Many understand the benefits of buying produce locally: it's fresher. It doesn't require long distance transportation and the subsequent use of fuel. It limits the amount of packaging, and it reduces the amount pesticide and chemical use. Buying holiday gifts locally produces many of the same benefits. Goods that don't require shipping reduce fuel consumption and packaging requirements in addition to promoting the use of local environmental friendly manufacturing. Natural candidates for buying local are gifts from nurseries that plant their own trees and grocery chains that grow their own food.

GIFTS THAT PEOPLE REALLY WANT

Holiday gift exchanges consisting only of gift cards and local shrubs might prove to be a let down. Even for the greenest of gift-givers, it's necessary to purchase tangible gifts from time to time. Keep in mind the perfect green gift just happens to be, well, the perfect gift. Buy something the recipient wants and it will not end up as part of the mountain of waste created during the holidays. Better yet, find out if the receiver prefers electronic alternatives. Does she listen to MP3s instead of CDs, watch movies on her computer instead of a DVD player, or read e-books instead of paperbacks? A bit of detective work makes for a better holiday, and a better planet.

Learn more about this author, Trent Lorcher.
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