When we hear, “Have a green holiday season” on the island, the first thing that may come to mind is the lack of snow and abundance of greenery we typically see in December. It can also mean, “being green” in our actions and doing our best to reduce our environmental impact. There are many ways you can lessen your footprint this holiday season.
Give sustainably
Are you stumped on what get for a loved one? Here are some ideas to get you started:
Give the gift of experience. The memories made from experiences can be more meaningful than getting stuff. How about a City of Nanaimo Parks, Recreation and Culture Active Pass? Right now, we are offering 10-visit passes and one-month passes. While many programs are on pause due to COVID-19, you can still use the passes for the Nanaimo Aquatic Centre and arenas. Register for swimming and skating sessions up to 72 hours in advance.
Give the gift of nature. City of Nanaimo homeowners can gift a tree voucher. These $25 vouchers are redeemable for a shade tree worth up to $90. There are a few rules. The tree program is designed to get more trees in the ground within city limits, so the recipient of the voucher must be a property owner within Nanaimo's city limits and plant the tree on their property. The purchaser also needs to be a registered property owner in Nanaimo, and there is a limit of two vouchers per property. The purchase of the gift voucher will come off the purchaser's limit. Find a complete list of rules and purchase a tree voucher on the City website. There is a limited supply that runs out fast, so get yours today!
Gift the gift of giving. You can donate in honour of someone to their favourite cause, charity or local non-profit.
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
Reduce. Reducing your consumption reduces the amount you have to throw out and saves you money. It’s a win-win! You can use this in your decorating by using materials that are reusable or responsibly taken from nature.
Also, choosing alternative forms of transportation such as walking, rolling, cycling or riding transit to get your shopping done or view the many beautiful Christmas light displays, can reduce your carbon footprint. Who knows? Maybe, you’ll find a life-long habit!
Reuse: Skip the wrapping or use reusable wrapping. Do you have decorations from last year? Why not use them again this year?
Recycle. You can divert a large percentage of your household waste from the landfill. It is amazing what can be recycled! Use the What Goes Where tool on the Nanaimo Recycles app (available for download on the App Store and Google Play) or on the City website.
Even little changes can make a big impact on our environment. Our friends at Metro Vancouver have plenty of other tips to help you enjoy a green holiday season. Check out their Create Memories, Not Garbage site.