Festive Fashion Trend to Follow: 7 Eco-Friendly Décor Tips and Practices Leading Into the New Year

This time last year, Pantone – the world’s leading authority on color for the fashion and interior design industries – announced that Emerald Green was the Color of the Year for 2013. This year, they have announced that Emerald Green will step aside for a stunning shade of purple aptly dubbed Radiant Orchid as Color of the Year for 2014. Well, here at Gwinnett Clean & Beautiful, we just happen to believe that Green is the Color of the Year… every year. Being “green” is no fad – it’s a trend that’s always in fashion, no matter the season. Eco-friendly décor and environmentally-sound practices are something we should all try to pursue year-round, but here are seven simple tips to help you get started this holiday season leading into the New Year…

1)      Embrace the Ultimate Reduce, Reuse, Recycle Holiday: For many, Christmas is the ultimate example of reduce, reuse and recycle. From cherished family ornaments that you pull out of the attic to the artificial tree that you hang them on each year, you may already be “green” and not even realize it.  However, if you don’t already own an artificial tree and are debating whether or not to invest in one – it’s important to bear in mind that artificial trees cannot by recycled. Which serves as the perfect lead-in for tip #2…

2)      Become a REAL Tree Hugger – While some could argue that cutting down a perfectly healthy natural tree is the opposite of being a “tree hugger”, there are many positive aspects to going green in this particular way. Chief among them is the fact that real trees can be recycled. Beginning December 26, 2013 through January 17, 2014, where Gwinnett residents are invited to bring their real tree to a drop off location near home in order for their tree to be recycled. Click here for a list of Christmas Tree Drop Off Locations.  In partnership with Keep Georgia Beautiful, Gwinnett Clean & Beautiful will play host to “Bring One For The Chipper” on January 25 where all of the collected trees will be turned into mulch as one of the largest recycling efforts in the state of Georgia.  Click here if you’d like to volunteer to take part in this terrific event! Other pros to using a natural tree include an opportunity to show your support for a local tree grower – many of whom use sustainable farming techniques in order to ensure a healthy crop of trees in the years to come. And we haven’t even mentioned the heavenly aroma that it brings into your home!

3)      Use Energy-Efficient Christmas Lights: While many of us have made the switch to energy efficient bulbs throughout the table lamps and ceiling fixtures in our homes, there may be more than a few of us who haven’t yet discovered the joy of LED Christmas lights to adorn our Christmas tree and the exterior of the home.  Led lights – or light emitting diodes – use 80 percent less energy than conventional Christmas lights. That’s not just earth-friendly, it’s easier on your wallet.

4)      Use (and Give) Eco-Friendly Ornaments: Hanging terrarium bulbs and plantable gift tags top our list of favorites provided in this “23 Eco-Friendly Ornaments” article by Trendhunter.com. If you give these as gifts and really want to earn your “GREEN” star, wrap them in recycled wrapping paper and top them with a greeting card printed on recycled paper.

5)      Unwrap, Then Recycle: From the sound of that teaser, it may seem as though we’re endorsing the ancient practice of re-gifting. However, what we want you to consider as you rip the wrapping paper off of your gifts and toss those cardboard boxes into an oversized lawn bag for its inevitable journey to the landfill is to instead adopt the practice of recycling your wrapping paper and boxes – both of which are happily accepted at the Recycling Bank of Gwinnett!

6)      Give the Gift of a Green, Clean, Livable Community: Donations made to Gwinnett Clean & Beautiful are a gift that keeps right on giving!  As a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, we rely on donations from generous and concerned individuals and corporations in order to support our daily operations and goal of becoming America’s greenest, cleanest and most livable community!

7)      Make the Resolution to Go GREEN in 2014: Whether you are already a major advocate for Mother Earth or you dabble in eco-friendly practices, we suggest that by the time the ball drops on New Years Eve – you resolve to become a brighter shade of green in 2014. Gwinnett Clean & Beautiful provides a number of great ways for you to become engaged through recycling, green living, volunteering, and so much more!

To learn more about Gwinnett Clean & Beautiful, please visit us online at www.gwinnettcb.org. 

From all of us here at Gwinnett Clean & Beautiful, we wish you and yours a Happy Holiday Season and a Wonderful New Year!

Image Credit:  2happy/Stockvault.net