KNOXVILLE — Fretting that the tree may be the only part of the holiday season that is green?
Experts say household waste often increases more than 25 percent between Thanksgiving and New Year’s. That means the holidays can have a negative impact on the environment.
However, there are ways to make the holidays more environmentally friendly.
“Small changes to our routines can help make the holiday season more fun and less wasteful,” said Gordie Bennett, UT Knoxville’s sustainability manager.
An informal poll of UT Knoxville faculty and staff members found some unique and easy tips for “greening” the holidays this season. Here are another two sustainability holiday tips from UT Knoxville’s faculty and staff:
“This year I will give ‘sustainable’ gifts when possible. I have purchased a compost pail for vegetable scraps, egg shells, etc., as one gift and will purchase a retractable outdoor clothesline as another gift.” – Jerri Daoust, administrative coordinator, College of Engineering
“Instead of buying candles or PlugIns or using other synthetic chemicals, I simmer orange slices and cinnamon sticks on my stove. This does require the use of energy, but it’s not something that is plugged in all day, nor does it run out so quickly that I have to constantly repurchase and generate trash from. I can pour the whole pot into my compost when I am done.” – Tiffany Morrison, safety coordinator, Biosystems Engineering and Soil Sciences