Today officially marks the start of the holiday shopping season! As much as everyone loves a white Christmas, this year let’s try to make it a green Christmas and give that as a gift to Mother Earth.
A good place to start is with SaveATreeCards.com, an e-card collection from Logica3. For every e-card sent, Logica3 will make a donation to The Nature Conservancy.
“The United States produces 25 percent more garbage than average between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day,” says Lisa Dombrowski, president of Logica3. ”SaveATreeCards.com was created to help companies reduce their use of paper, ink, distribution and packaging materials. It’s an easy way to be a little greener.”
Now that your card options are covered, let’s talk gifts.
According to a survey by Deloitte LLP, almost 59 percent of consumers expect to reduce their spending this holiday season. But the survey also found that 44 percent of consumers are willing to pay extra for green gifts, half of whom are willing to pay between 10 to 25 percent more.
So where do we find green gifts? You can always start with the TreeHugger Gift Guide, which is put out each year and has over 100 gifts in 12 categories, ranging from “light green” to “dark green” gifts. Other sites to check out includeGreensender, Let’s Go Green, and BTC Elements. Another great site is Uncommon Goods. Their “Sunshine in a Jar” is one of my absolute favorites!
If you want your gift to support conservation efforts, then check out the WWF’s Gift Center, which allows shoppers to protect species and their habitats worldwide. Eighty-three percent of all gifts and donations will go directly to supporting WWF’s conservation programs and will be used to fight threats like habitat loss, poaching, pollution and climate change.
You can also shop at The Nature Conservancy Marketplace, where 10 percent of proceeds go to The Nature Conservancy. You can also support The Nature Conservancy when you Adopt an Acre, Rescue the Reef, or Plant A Billion Trees.
These are just a few places to start. There are sooo many places where your Christmas shopping can benefit our planet and its people. All you have to do is look.
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
I found your blog on Best green Blogs.
This is an excellent post, you’re right there are so many places to look for greener gifts these days.
As for cards, another alternative is to make your own using reclaimed materials!
And don’t forget to always use Green Any Site whenever you shop online to make sure your purchases have a positive impact on the environment.
You can use it to make sure a portion of any purchase you make online goes to a green charity… Whether the store you’re on cares about the environment or not.
Or better yet… Just shop less
What a great site! And this month they’re supporting Conservation International!
I’m really glad you liked it Allie.
I just launched it last week, and would love to talk more about it and hear what you think. It would be great if you could contact me (tal@talater.com)