The Environmental Protection Agency is urging Americans to reduce their “carbon footprint” this Christmas holiday by giving smaller gifts.
“Friends, family, parties, and travel are what make the holiday season great. You can make it even better by reducing waste as often as possible during your celebrations,” the agency says in a press release.
Among its recommendations:
Gift-giving:
· Bring your own reusable bag when shopping for gifts. Buy items made with minimal packaging and recycled content.
· Wrap gifts in recycled or reused paper. Consider gifts that don’t use much wrapping, such as gift cards or concert tickets.
· Package baked goods in reusable or recyclable containers as gifts.
Parties and events:
· Use reusable plates, glasses and silverware at parties. Make sure guests know where your recycling bin is for cans, bottles or other recyclable items they use.
· Share leftover food with family and friends. Donate untouched leftovers to a food bank or homeless shelter.
· After the party, fill the dishwasher completely before running it. You’ll save water and energy by running fewer cycles.
The agency didn’t disclose the carbon footprint of the bureaucrats that felt the need to offer Americans party tips.
Some may question the EPA’s recommendation to give concert tickets for a Christmas holiday gift.

In 2009, the “earth friendly” rock band U2 was criticized when it was determined its massive stage display equaled the carbon footprint of flying to Mars and back.
The Independent reported:
… the band’s 100-date 18-month world tour will see the multi-millionaires clock up an incredible 70,000 air miles in their fuel-guzzling private jet.
The £90m U2360 tour also features three 390-tonne stages criss-crossing the globe, along with 200 crew and backstage staff. …
Perhaps appropriately, the tour’s carbon footprint can also be measured in space terms, with their colossal emissions of up to 65,000 tonnes of CO2 enough to fly Bono, the Edge, Adam Clayton and Larry Mullen Jr from earth to the planet Mars — and back. …
U2’s CO2 emissions are the equivalent of the waste created by 6,500 average British or Irish people in an entire year, or equal to leaving a standard 100 watt lightbulb on for 159,000 years.
“Reduction and reuse are the most effective ways you can save natural resources, protect the environment and save money,” the agency says. “Reduction prevents pollution caused by processing raw materials, saves energy, reduces greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change and saves money.”
Leave a Comment
COMMENTS POLICY: We have no tolerance for messages of violence, racism, vulgarity, obscenity or other such discourteous behavior. Thank you for contributing to a respectful and useful online dialogue.