When you decorate this holiday season, consider going au naturel - without lights!  You can make or buy wreaths and garlands of natural materials that can be composted or will naturally decompose.  Natural greenery can be found at local farm stands throughout your town.

Yes, an artificial tree can be used for years, but it will eventually end up in a landfill somewhere.  A cut, live tree from a tree farm is better because tree farmers are continually replacing harvested trees.  And, because live trees can be recycled after Christmas.  Williamsburg-James City County Recycling allows residents to drop off live trees until February 29, 2009.  The trees are then mulched or composted by the Virginia Peninsula Public Service Authority.

But, if you must have Christmas lights, consider exchanging your incandescent tree bulbs for LED (Light Emitting Diode) ones.  They cost a little more, but LED lights use more than 98 percent LESS energy and can last up to 10 years and stay cooler.

The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that about 25 percent more trash than usual is generated between Thanksgiving and Christmas.  Buy gifts without a lot of packaging or that require minimal wrapping.  RECYCLE, RECYCLE, RECYCLE!  Use your own reusable shopping bags for your purchases when you shop.  Place gift boxes and wrapping paper tubes in recycling containers for weekly pickup.                  

You will find that it's the little things that mean so much and make a big difference!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL!

Courtesy of Yvette Smith, SRES® REALTOR®
WILLIAMSBURG REAL ESTATE
757-753-7472
Long and Foster, REALTORS®
6610-J  Mooretown Road
Williamsburg, VA  23188
YvetteSmith@AtHomeInWilliamsburg.com