Article 52

THE CASUAL GARDENER, Shawna Coronado

Holiday Landfill Trauma Across the Nation!!

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Dear Casual Gardener,

Sing with me now, “‘Tis the season for American excess. It’s reallyyyyy ridiculous!”

Tell me oh guru of conservation and environmental health, how can I conserve during the holidays?

Signed,

The Caroling Killjoy

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Boy did you say it!!   Seasons Greenings my caroling friend!

Now is the season of our landfills discontent – the health of our environment suffers every holiday season.
Shockingly, each year, more than 25% more waste is generated during the holiday season than throughout the
year. That’s an increase by 1 million tons of trash per week, or 5 million extra tons between Thanksgiving and
New Years!

There are many ways to prevent this waste going into our landfills. My favorite way is to wrap gifts in
newspaper, then recycle the newspaper after you open the gifts.   Remember that shredded newspaper can be
used in your garden compost bin. You can use Sunday comics for a touch of color. If you wrap in black and
white print, it’s easy to reuse an old red or green silk ribbon for a decorative bow. I also reuse every gift bag I
have ever received! I seal the tops of the bags with tape so the kids can’t see the contents. The year my
youngest was born everyone received their holiday gifts in pink “baby” gift bags.   Every year I cut the holiday
cards in half and use the picture portion of the card as gift tags for all my holiday giving.
This time of year we ship far more packages as well. Did you know that most unwanted clean packing peanuts
are accepted by many packaging stores for reuse? Use packing peanuts from previous gifts. I also use
packing peanuts in the bottom of all my garden pots to reduce their weight. Most annuals and even the
perennials which you plant in pots do not need deep root systems – using half as much soil is a good idea and
it makes the pots easier to lift and move when needed. Better yet, use dry, popped popcorn to pack your gifts
(include a note explaining that birds can eat it). There’s a great new biodegradable starch packing peanuts
product out there too. Much better than filling our landfills!
And this, my fellow recyclers, is just the tip of the proverbial Christmas Tree limb!   I have a brilliant idea which
will reduce landfill waste – are you ready for this one - CUT BACK!!

Do you really need to buy Susie and Jimmy $500 worth of presents? Not to mention all your nieces, nephews
and third cousins. Say NO to large family gift exchanges. Suggest an alternative. When it comes to your own
home – your kids – the proverbial “Susie and Jimmy” love you and want your attention and kindness more than
being spoiled rotten. They do not need $500 worth of presents. They need you to read more to them. They
need you to sit with them and talk. They need you to hug them. How about this year you cut holiday gift
spending by half!? I know it’s controversial, and to some it might be downright un-American, but I’m suggesting
increasing the conservation and cutting back on your spending.

Just think of the possibilities! With the extra money you have, you could increase Susie and Jimmy’s college
fund or you could donate to an organization that’s trying to make a difference environmentally in our community
like America In Bloom or the Conservation Foundation OR you could buy the supplies to build a fabulous
garden.   Now THERE is an idea! Creating a “Build-the-garden-and-build-better-health-fund”!!! I love it!!

Happy Shopping and stay tuned for more environmentally friendly holiday ideas!

Please send your gardening questions for Shawna Coronado, The Casual Gardener to
dearshawna@thecasualgardener.com or The Casual Gardener, P.O. Box 358, Warrenville, IL 60555.
www.thecasualgardener.com

The Casual Gardener.com

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