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Sustainably Celebrating the Holidays As we approach the end of winter and the buzz of the holidays has subsided, it is important to review our practices taking a sustainability perspective into account. Below are some thoughts and fun facts about celebrating responsibly and sustainably during the festive season of November through the end of December. Christmas greenery - For those in New York who enjoy Christmas time with a fir, spruce or pine, there are a couple of ways tress can be disposed of that are eco-friendly: you can either bring them to a park that participates in the yearly “Mulchfest,” which is an event that NYC Parks and the New York City Department of Sanitation organize during late December to mid-January. They have made it tradition for New Yorkers to bring their trees, wreaths, and other greenery to parks. During the collection period, live trees are collected, chipped, mixed with leaves, and recycled into rich compost for institutions, NYC's parks, and community gardens. New Jersey has a similar program where trees, wreaths, and other foliage can be dropped off at select parks throughout the State. The growth of Christmas trees contributes to carbon sequestration, runoff reduction, soil stability, wildlife shelter and Oxygen production. Think local, shop local – If you have to buy something new as a gift, the best option is to try to stay as local as possible with your purchase. Buying from a mom-and-pop shop helps promote the economy of your local community and assists in sustaining a certain kind of homeliness that does not come from larger companies. Wrap and rewrapping – One way to be economical and eco-friendly is to reuse wrapping paper from one year to another. It may take you a bit longer to envelop a present solely by folds, but it lends to having paper that is not ruined due to tape and can be salvageable. You can either use regular wrapping paper or a Furoshiki, a square-shaped Japanese traditional wrapping cloth. If these methods do not work out, you should opt to buy wrapping paper rolls that are made from recycled materials. Minty Fresh Equine – If you have extra peppermint candy, including canes that you do not eat over the holidays, you could give it to horse farms or sanctuaries. Handlers at these locations are well versed in equine care and know when and what to feed the horses. Ideally these candies would be sugar free, however, even those with sugar can be a nice treat for them in moderation. According to the Equine Wellness Magazine, peppermint helps horses’ digestive system as it contains a bitter quality that assists in the stimulation of their appetite. This is why it can soothe horses who are suffering from digestive issues. These are just a few points that may be of help come next festive season. You can find additional information on various websites, including that of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservationhttps://www.dec.ny.gov/chemical/8829.html) and State of New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (https://www.nj.gov/dep/aqes/greening.html.) https://ker.com/equinews/everywhere-mint-peppermint-horses/ https://www.nycgovparks.org/highlights/festivals/mulchfest https://www.classhorse.tv/new_amp/225/7-irresistible-human-food-treats-horses-can-eat |