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Makes sense to reduce waste over the holidays

CHRISTMAS 18 tradi- tionally the season of giv- ing, but the pressures of consumerism have transformed a_ charitable occasion into a_ wasteful one.

By Mylene Ava Pilutik Contributing Writer

With Christmas around the corner and the envirenment on our minds, it makes sense to con- sider ways to reduce waste over the holiday season.

There are several ways to make your Christmas more environmen- tally conscious. ,

First, let’s look at shopping. Traffic and parking in the downtown area is stressful and often hazardous at this time of year. Why not money on parking by shopping locally and by using the public transit system?

Paper is one of the biggest wastes during the Christmas season and trees are one of our most important resources.

Boxes, bags, tissue, wrapping Paper and cards are used once, then discarded.

Most of these items can be reused, avoided or substituted by recycled paper products. Be sure to look for ‘the recycled paper symbol when shopping or ask the salespeople to show you their recycled paper products.

Conserve and reuse shopping bags. As long as you have your ceceipts, there’s no need for excess packaging.

it just ends up in the garbage when you get home anyway.

Ask yourself which presents re- ally need boxes and which ones can do without. Do you have an old shoe box at home that will do the trick?

Choose gift wrap and cards made of recycled paper and avoid plastic ribbons. Colored string and natural fabric ribbon are excellent alternatives and both are biodegradable and reusable.

save gas and-

Two stores on the North Shore that exclusively carry environmen- tally friendly paper products are Capers (24696 Marine Dr., West Vancouver) and Paper-Go-Round (9 Lonsdale Ave., North Van- couver).

it’s nice to have a fire on Christmas morning, but don't burn all the boxes and paper. Save them for use again next year. Every little bit counts.

Christmas trees are another potential source of waste. A cut tree can be substituted with a plastic tree which can be used year after year.

Or, a live tree can be purchased from your local nursery and planted outside later, or kept in a pot ard used again the following year. Another advantage to these alternati-es is that there will be no needles cropping from the tree and tracked through the house.

Tree ornaments don’t have to be store bought. Making your own decorations can be a fun family activity that saves money and gives your tree a real personal look.

Santas, candy canes and angels can be created out of a home- made playdough, which can be found in mast cookbocks.

Or try this recipe: Mix 250 mL flour, 125 mL salt, 250 mL water. Form into shapes, insert a paper clip into each ornament for a hock, and bake at 275°F for 20 to 30 minutes. :

When cooled, ornaments can be painted, then ti. to the tree with tibbons or string.

Stars can be made from scrap cardboard and aluminum foil, and popcorn garlands are a natural alternative to plastic garlands and tinsel. {If you’re very skiiful, try your hand at origami.

Canned foods, packaged foods and gifts can be donated to the homeless or the needy through the North Shore Neighbourhood House (987-8138), the Salvation Army (988-6040) and the Emily Murphy House (987-1773).

There is also a Christmas food depot at the North Shore News office.

Don't forget to conserve energy and prevent fire hazards by turn-

Christmas Cantata

“Star Quest”

v4 . Come and enjoy the

musical talents of

40 voices with

live accompaniment

Sunday, Dec. 22 9:30am & 11:00am

Specia Christmas Eve Services Tues., Dec. 24 6:30pm and 8:00pm

St. Andrew’s & St. Stephen’

Presbyterian Church

2641 Chestertield Ave., North Van. 987-6800

ing off Christmas lights before go- ing to bed. And have yourself an eco-friendly Christmas.

Free Gift Wrapping Donations to the NV. Christmas Bureau graciously accepted

Located in Kids’ Alley beside the Ballroom 985-6261

O; AV i a

For Christmas BE DEVIOUS

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IN YOUR NORTH SHORE NEWS, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 25th

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