Let's Have a Green Christmas
By Kirsten Stoger and Becky Stone
We are aware of extra stress and expense that comes with Christmas preparations every year, but do we stop to consider extra stress our Christmas preparations put on the environment? From purchasing and wrapping gifts, to creating outdoor lighting displays, the costs to our wallets, and our planet, really add up. According to the Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Ontarians threw away 900,000 extra tonnes of garbage during the holiday season in 2006, including 288 million Christmas cards, 23 square km of wrapping paper (or enough to cover 3000 football fields), 900 tonnes of aluminum, and 35,000 tonnes of plastic packaging. Try some of these simple tips and suggestions, and see how easy it is to have a 'green' Christmas.
Lights
One of the earliest signs of Christmas is the beautiful holiday light displays that appear along the streets of Hudson. However, increasing electricity prices and a greater awareness of the environment means putting up hundreds of Christmas lights may leave us feeling a little guilty. By switching to LED (Light Emitting Diode) lights, we can reduce our own electrical bill and our impact on the environment. LED lights are readily available at hardware stores.
According to Hydro-Quebec, LED lights use up to 90% less electricity than conventional holiday lights. They last up to 10 times longer (up to 100,000 hours), are more durable because the bulbs are not made of glass, and are safer to use because they generate less heat than the traditional lights. DonÕt forget to put your light display on a timer and set it for six hours.
Cards
Giving and receiving holiday cards is a tradition we all cherish... but at what cost? According to Environment Canada, Canadians use 6 million tonnes of paper and paperboard annually but only 1/4 of this gets recycled. If each Canadian sent just one less card, we'd save 50,000 cubic yards of paper. If you do send holiday cards, why not buy cards made with recycled paper? Reduce the number you give by sending cards to family and close friends only. If you have a large Christmas card list and internet access, why not try electronic cards? Don't forget to save the front picture of cards you receive and re-use them as gift tags next year.
Gifts
We are quick to criticize the excess commercialism associated with Christmas, but how many of us actually try to change our gift-giving habits? Try these strategies for minimizing your family's consumerism without sacrificing Christmas morning.
Start with a budget and a plan: write out a list of all those friends and loved ones you buy gifts for. Now take a close look at it. Is it possible to reduce the number of people you buy gifts for? Perhaps a batch of homemade Christmas cookies could replace that 'Number One Teacher' mug.
Once you have narrowed down your list of recipients, take the time to think about what your friends and family really want or need this Christmas. Rather than material goods, consider giving gifts that can be experienced, such as hockey tickets, homemade dinners, or baby-sitting vouchers?
Before you jump into the car and head to the busy mall, support our local economy and experience what our Hudson merchants and artisans are offering this holiday season. Buying locally-made products will reduce green house gas emissions associated with shipping fuel. If you can't avoid a 'mall run', make a plan to consolidate your shopping trips and reduce your fuel consumption.
Be an eco-wise consumer. Support environmentally-responsible retailers; if the sales people don't know their company's environmental plan, should you support that company? Choose gifts that don't require batteries or give rechargeable batteries as part of battery-operated gifts. Consider the life span of the product. Will it last for many years and be passed on to someone else? Avoid purchasing heavily over-packaged products and toys or consider purchasing lightly used items from internet auctions or local classifieds. Manufacturers will only start reducing packaging when the consumer stops buying over-packaged products.
Wrapping
Now that you have found that perfect gift, you want it to look perfect under the tree but before you reach for the foil wrapping paper and roll of curly ribbon, consider this: if everyone re-used just half a meter of holiday ribbon, the 61,000 km of ribbon saved could tie a bow around the entire earth.
With a little thought and creativity, your holiday wrapping can look spectacular without costing the earth. Re-use what you already have: last year's gift bags, ribbons, and bows make quick work of holiday wrapping (and don't forget to save them again for next year.) Re-invent your wrapping: Children's drawings and paintings can make nice wrapping paper, so can leftover wallpaper, old maps, and the Sunday comics. Try purchasing holiday fabric that can be re-used each year; simply use the fabric to wrap the gift in the fabric or sew a simple bag.
A 'Green' Christmas Spirit
How do you keep the true meaning of Christmas alive for your family? Spend time with your family planning, or reinventing, traditions that will create wonderful and lasting memories. The anticipation of opening gifts is always exciting for children but they're sure to remember the Christmas caroling at Grandma and Grandpa's house more than a broken toy or itchy sweater! By encouraging your child to give special gifts they have made for important people in their lives, you will help shift focus from receiving gifts to giving them.
It doesn't take a lot of effort to introduce some 'green' changes into your family's Christmas traditions, but the rewards, for you and for the planet, can be astounding.
Five Simple Ways to Reduce Energy Consumption at Home
By Gina Gentile
Not surprisingly, heating and cooling our living space accounts for the majority of the carbon dioxide emitted from home. In fact, 40 to 60% of your home energy bill is going to this purpose. If we reduce the amount of energy we use to heat and cool our homes there will be a corresponding reduction in carbon dioxide emissions and the amount of money we pay for energy bills. Saving money is a great incentive for helping stop global warming. So how do we start?
Here are some simple steps:
Reduce the temperature on your thermostat in the winter (aim for 18°C / 65°F) and if you must use air conditioning, increase the temperature on your thermostat in the summer (aim for 24°C / 75°F). For every degree Celsius that you change (down in winter; up in summer), you will save up to three percent on your heating/cooling bill. Invest in programmable thermostats. Temperature can be decided for several periods of each day. In the winter, have it set cooler at night time and during periods of the day when you are out. In the summer, have it set warmer for periods of the day when you are out.
Clean or replace furnace filters every two months. This can improve the efficiency of your furnace by up to 50 percent. Close blinds and drapes at night in the winter to prevent heat loss through windows. Close blinds and drapes during the day in the summer to prevent heat from entering the house through windows.Replace caulking and weather stripping around doors and windows. The average house in Canada has the equivalent of a basketball sized hole in it if you combine all the air leaks that exist within it.
You will be on your way to reducing carbon dioxide emissions and saving money on your energy bills by following these five simple steps.
This article was first published in the Hudson Gazette.
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Living Green in Hudson is easier than you may think. Here is a list of ideas to inspire you in your efforts to live an environmentally responsible lifestyle in our beautiful town.
10 Easy Steps to “Go Green” in Hudson
- REDUCE what you buy, REUSE what you have, and RECYCLE beyond the Blue Box. We have compiled a list of local facilities willing to take items that cannot be recycled in your blue box, should not be disposed of in the garbage, or could enjoy a new life elsewhere. We are always happy to update this list so let us know if you have any other suggestions.
- Shop locally. Take advantage of our local shops and food producers. Not only will you save time and money on gas, you will be supporting the Hudson economy.
- Choose reusable bags when shopping to reduce the number of plastic bags ending up on our streets and in our landfills. Use compostable bags to collect your garbage. Did you know that the petroleum used to produce one plastic bag could fuel the average sized car for 9 kilometers. www.becomegreen.info/eco_tips.pdf
- Consider composting. Composting helps to reduce the amount of waste going to landfills by as much as 50% and it produces a valuable soil amendment which can improve the texture and fertility of the soil in your lawn and gardens. See www.compost.org for tips on how to get started.
- Walk or ride a bike around town. You will save money, get exercise, and improve air quality.
- Utilize Hudson’s public transit, or carpool, when commuting to and from work. Bus and train schedules are available at Depanneur Shaar, 58 Cameron, (450) 458-5297
- Turn off your car. Whether you are at the post office or the depanneur, save money and carbon emissions by turning your car off when you park. For more information on car emissions, check out www.nsc.org/ehc/mobile/mse_fs.htm .
- Switch to non-toxic cleaning products. Many conventional cleaning products can be harmful to your family’s health, the environment, and your septic tank. Check out www.ecocycle.org/hazwaste/recipes.cfm for ideas on making easy, effective and inexpensive septic-safe cleaners.
- Turn off your lights as you leave the room and change your light bulbs to compact florescent bulbs. Check our www.climatecrisis.net for more easy energy saving tips.
- Inspire someone to make a difference. Get educated and get involved and tell someone about the changes you have made. Whether you choose to become part of a school project, a local initiative or a national campaign, the actions you take can inspire those around you to make a positive change. Check out the following websites for inspiration and information:
or contact these local projects to volunteer:
- Mount Pleasant’s “Green Team”- contact Debbie Reynolds at (450) 458-4862
- St. Thomas School’s Environmental Group - contact Chantal Girard at (450) 458- 1210
- Go Green Hudson; e-mail gogreenhudson@gmail.com
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Recycling Beyond the Blue Box
If you are looking to dispose of items that are not appropriate for the blue box consider the following local options.
Appliances
Hydro Quebec, Tel: (877) 493 7446 (FRIGO) http://www.recyc-frigo.com
Starting March 31 2008, all Quebec residents can take advantage of a free pick up of energy hungry appliances that are over 10 years old and a $60.00 incentive will be sent by mail for every appliance picked up (limit of two appliances per home).
Batteries
ACE Hardware Store, Hudson. Tel: 450-458-2001
Batteries Expert, Ile Perrot. Tel: 450-453-7999
Proxim, 504 Main Rd. Hudson Tel: 450-458-4686
Bicycles
Cycle North-South 514-843-0077 www.cyclonordsud.org
Mount Pleasant School’s annual consignment bike sale (every April – items to be dropped off the night before). Tel: 514-798-0400
Books
Hudson War Memorial Library
60 Elm, Hudson. Tel: 450-458-4814
There is a large plastic bin at the back of the building where books can be left for donation at all times. Books are either used at the library or sold at their monthly book sale to earn money for this volunteer based library.
Wyman Church Used Book Sale
513 Main Rd, Hudson. Tel: 450-458-4912
Wyman church has a used book sale every 6 months. Profits go to charity. Books can only be dropped off the week before the sale so keep a look out for advertising.
Car Recycling
Pieces d’Autos Reno Inc, Vaudreuil-Dorion, Tel : 450-455-5701.
The Kidney Foundation Tel:1-888-228-8673 www.kidneyquebec.ca
Car Heaven Tel: 1-866-535-7312 or www.carheaven.ca
Reprendrelaroute will repair and certify donated vehicles and give them to women who are victims of domestic violence. For more information see www.reprendrelaroute.ca/english/english.htm
Cell Phones
Mount Pleasant School Tel: 514-798-0400
Espace Bell, Vaudreuil-Dorion Tel: 450-424-1416
Clothing and Textiles
‘The Bunker’ at the Hudson War Memorial Library
60 Elm, Hudson. Tel: (450) 458-4814
A side door is open at all times to drop off used clothing, small working appliances, TVs, VCRs, DVD players, toys, and kitchenware. The items are sold on Saturday mornings from 10:00 – 12:00 in the basement of the library. Clothes that are donated which cannot be sold are donated to the Big Brothers and Sisters Foundation. Used blankets, quilts and towels that are stained or have holes are donated to local animal shelters. Old suitcases are donated to the Customs Department in Rigaud for training dogs.
La Source d’Entraide Inc.
2001 Chemin Ste-Angelique, St.Lazare. Tel: (450) 455-8000
Donations can be dropped off anytime.
Open for business Thursday 9:00 AM to 3:00PM and 7:00PM to 8:30PM and Saturdays from 9:00 to 1:00.
Used clothing, toys and small electronics are accepted for donation. Money earned goes towards the local food bank. Clothing that cannot be sold goes to Certex, a non-profit organization that sends clothing to third world countries or creates industrial rags out of clothing that can no longer be worn.
La Friperie
548 Main, Hudson. Tel: (450) 458-9945.
La Friperie sells good quality used clothing. They will purchase clothing which is in very good condition or take it on consignment. Clothing that is not sold is sent to Dans La Rue (a shelter for homeless teens) or Jamaica or the Phillipines.
Les Mains Reveuses
Nancy Isabelle Labrie
Hudson. Tel : (450) 458-1023. www.mainsreveuses.com
This local company manufactures a line of clothing using recycled garments and textiles. Garments not used are sent to a textile recycling plant in Montreal.
Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs
Home Depot, 55 Boulevard de la Cité des Jeunes, Vaudreuil. Tel: (450) 510-2600
Ikea, 9191 Cavendish Blvd, Montreal. Tel: (514) 738-2167
Computers and Small Electronics
Computers, laptops, monitors, printers, photocopiers, scanners, cables, keyboards, telephones, answering machines, digital cameras and cellular phones are all considered e-waste. These items can contain lead, cadmium, beryllium, arsenic and mercury and must be disposed of responsibly.
Reboot Montreal
www.rebootmontreal.ca
215, ave Labrosse, Pointe-Claire, QC. Tel : (514) 426-6279
Reboot accepts donations of any equipment to do with computers (computers, modems, hard drives etc.) except monitors.
Bureau en Gros
54 Cité des Jeunes, Suite 100 Tel: (450) 455-3443
Computers, laptops, monitors, printers, photocopiers, scanners, cables, keyboards, telephones, answering machines, digital cameras and cellular phones.
Some articles will be repaired by a CFER (Centre de Formation en Entreprise et Récupération) chapter in the West Island, an organization which helps students in difficulty develop appropriate skills to better integrate into the working world.
Future Shop
3090 Boulevard de La Gare, Vaudreuil Tel: (450) 455-8434
Computers are not accepted. Each location has a green box at which you may drop off any of the following items: used batteries, cell phones, CD players, MP3 players, CDs, portable DVD players, and ink cartridges.
La Source d’Entraide Inc.
2001 Chemin Ste-Angelique, St.Lazare. Tel: (450) 455-8000
Donations can be dropped off anytime.
Glasses
The following places send used glasses to 3rd world countries.
Duquette et Turgeon, Hudson Tel : (450) 458-2606
Opto-Reseau, St.Lazare Tel : (450) 455-8713
Optometrieste Iris, Vaudreuil-Dorion Tel: (450)455-4551
Ink Cartridges
Island Inkjet, Faubourg de l’Ile, Pincourt Tel: (450) 425-1005
Mount Pleasant School
Household Items
‘The Bunker’ at the Hudson War Memorial Library
60 Elm, Hudson. Tel: (450) 458-4814
Centre d’Action Bénévole L’Actuel
(450) 455-3331
Similar to above – takes pictures of larger items that are for sale (they cannot store items)
NOVA WEST ISLAND
Tel: (514) 695-8335
Have shops in Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue for small household items, books, and clothes – believe they can make arrangements for larger pieces of furniture
NOVA Hudson will organize a garage sale for a percentage of the sales.
Contact Linda Cobbett. Tel: (450) 458-5100 (evenings only – or weekends)
Parish Priests: know of needy families (and women’s shelters):
St. Thomas: (450) 458-5322
St. James’: (450) 458-5897
St. Mary’s: (450) 458-5561
Wyman United (450) 458-4912
Also: Hudson Town Hall: (450)458-5347 or Hudson Angel’s: Contact: Michel Gaudette: (450) 458-5523
Treehouse Day Care: (450) 458-2334 (arts and crafts items); call first please.
1-800-GOT-JUNK
1-800-Got-Junk?
The person who has the franchise for West Island might be able to come to Hudson, if it is in the name of NOVA.
Ye Auld Curiosite Shoppe – 441 Main, Hudson (closed Monday & Tuesday)
Call anytime, leave message: Tel: (450) 458-0385
Craigslist.ca or Kijiji.ca Place free, region specified online classified ads. Both websites have free sections if you just want to give away rather than sell.
Magazines
War Memorial Library vestibule
60 Elm, Hudson. Tel: (450) 458-4814
Medication
Drop off expired medication to any pharmacy to be disposed of in an environmentally safe way.
Metal Scraps
If you live in Hudson, put anything made of metal in a visible place on your curb on Sunday afternoon and it will most likely be picked up by a metal scrap truck. If not, try calling the following:
Yvan Chevrier Tel: (450) 455-3257
Real Metal Tel: (450) 424-2650
Metal Dan cell: (514) 730-7364 res: (450) 472-3074 Picks up in Hudson
(ie. Bathtubs, cast iron tubs)
Paint
Paint must be in original container and is sent to a paint recycling plant:
Loyola Schmidt RONA, Vaudreuil-Dorion Tel: (450) 455-5641
ACE Hardware also sells Boomerang paint which is made from recycled paint
Propane Tanks
Takes tanks that can no longer be refilled:
Charbonneau Propane, Vaudreuil-Dorion Tel: (450) 455-2061
Skates and Winter Sports Equipment
Mount Pleasant School’s annual skate sale (every fall– items to be dropped off the night before). Tel: (514) 798-0400
Tires, Car Batteries, Used Oil
Canadian Tire, Vaudreuil-Dorion Tel : (450) 424-2744
Recyclage d’Autos Sainte-Lazare Inc (also car parts) Tel : (450) 424-0042
Consider purchasing re-molded used tires. These are tires which are re-molded from selected high-quality used tires and returned to new condition (with guarantees recognizing them as such). They sell for 40 to 50 per cent less than new tires. For more information visit www.technopneu.com
The Town of Hudson’s bi-annual collection of hazardous materials which includes paint, oil, gas. tires, electronics, ink cartridges. We will post dates when they become available.
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Eating Locally
The following website lists more than 30 local farms for produce: meat, cheese, vegetables, etc.
www.lacartedugourmet.com
Alternatives to Plastic Bags By Debbie Reynolds
We all know we should be cutting down on the number of plastic bags we use. Worldwide we use a billion plastic bags a day and each bag could take up to 1000 years to break down. Plastic bags are made of non-renewable fossil fuels including petroleum and they pollute the landscape everywhere. So what can we use instead?
Using paper bags is not a solution. The manufacture of paper sacks generates 70% more air and 50 times more water pollutants than that of plastic bags. Paper requires 91% more energy to recycle per pound than plastic, and currently, supermarket paper bags don't contain any post-consumer recycled paper.
What about using biodegradable bags? Biodegradable means 'able to be broken down by bacteria in the environment' and does not necessarily mean that what is being broken down is good for the environment. The term also provides no indication of the time frame it takes to break down the item.
Currently, there are two types of bags being labeled as 'biodegradable': one is made from plastic, the other from corn starch. The (plastic) poly-based 'biodegradable' bags contain a combination of polyethylene and starch to help the bag break down faster. After the starch degrades, the polyethylene remains, leaving tiny fragments of toxic plastic in the soil that last just as long as a regular polyethylene plastic bag. Residues of heavy metals may also remain in the soil.
The biodegradable corn-starch based bags are not only biodegradable but also 'compostable,' which means they will completely break down into carbon and water in under 120 days under industrial composting conditions. A compostable product will not contaminate the soil in which it was composted with heavy metals. Nor will it leave tiny fragments of plastic behind. Environmentally, compostable bags are the better choice of the two.
Compostable bags are a suitable alternative for garbage bags, bread, fruit and vegetable bags, and other packaging. However, we still need to be careful when using compostable bags because large amounts of energy go into their production. Also, compostable packaging cannot be put in your recycling bin – it must be disposed of in a composter. On the other hand, a bag labeled only 'biodegradable' should not be put into a composter because it most likely contains tiny particles of plastic. These labels can be confusing. Finally, it is unknown how well compostable bags break down in landfills, which may not have the correct conditions.
When transporting goods from the store, the best choice for the environment is reusable cloth bags. These can be purchased from all major grocery stores, and most stores give a 5 cent rebate every time you use one instead of a disposable plastic bag.
Stay tuned for part 2 of this article, where we will discuss different alternatives to plastic bags for garbage disposal, dog waste and food storage.
This article was first published in the Hudson Gazette.
Tips for Obliterating Plastic Bags From Your Life! (Part 2 of 2) By Debbie Reynolds
We all know we should be cutting down on the number of plastic bags we use or better yet, eliminating them altogether. Here are some common reasons people continue to use plastic bags instead of using cloth reusable bags:
"What else can I use to line my kitchen garbage can other than plastic bags?" Begin by maximizing your recycling and composting your food and garden waste so that you have less going into the landfill. Composting alone reduces your waste by 50%. Then consider lining your kitchen garbage can with one of the following:
Compostable garbage bags. You can put these right into your outdoor garbage can, which won't need a plastic garbage bag as a liner.
Old newspapers can be used to line your kitchen garbage can. These can then be put into your outdoor garbage can, lined perhaps with a compostable garbage bag.
Nothing at all - just rinse the bucket after emptying your garbage into your larger outdoor garbage can. The outdoor bin can be lined with a compostable garbage bag. Paper bags. The only advantage to using paper for garbage bags is that it biodegrades faster than plastic. Regular paper bags are just as bad for the environment.
Plastic kitchen garbage bags purchased from the supermarket. This is a last resort but will give you a financial incentive to reduce the amount of waste sent to the landfill. When people in Ireland began paying for their plastic shopping bags, there was an initial increase in the purchase of kitchen garbage bags but the overall plastic bag consumption in Ireland still went down by 91%.
"But I reuse the plastic grocery bags to pick up my dog's waste."
Compostable dog waste bags are now available. These are preferable to plastic bags if you put your dog's waste in the garbage as they will decompose faster. You should not put composted dog waste in a vegetable garden because dog and cat feces contain bacteria and pathogens that can be harmful to humans.
You can, however, bury dog waste in the yard. If the hole is 9" deep, it won't contaminate groundwater. Or you can make a pet waste 'digester' in your yard. See www.cityfarmer.org/petwaste.html for instructions.
Other ways to reduce your plastic bag consumption:
Instead of using plastic produce bags at the supermarket, you can purchase reusable cotton produce sacks online from several sources. If you must use disposable plastic produce bags, consider reusing them and putting them in the recycling bin (washed) when they are no longer usable. The IGA in Hudson has begun supplying compostable produce bags. Be sure to put them into your compost when you are through with them.
Plastic sandwich and food storage bags can be replaced by plastic lidded containers which are available in all shapes and sizes and can easily be washed in the dishwasher and used over and over again.
Ask local stores to charge for plastic bags. Once Ireland began charging for plastic bags, they reduced their plastic bag consumption by 91%. Better yet, ask the stores to charge for grocery bags that are compostable. Ask that the produce bags be compostable as well
The following places have succeeded in banning plastic bags or now charge for them: Ireland, Taiwan, South Africa, Australia, Bangladesh, several cities in England, Paris (all of France in 2010), San Francisco and the city of Leaf Rapids in Northwestern Manitoba. Two small towns in Quebec have banned plastic bags: Huntingdon and Amqui.
Let the government know we want to reduce our plastic bag consumption – how about a province or nation wide ban?
In Hudson you can purchase compostable bags for garbage or dog waste from Que De Bonnes Choses (450-458-0558).
You can buy a slightly more 'earth friendly' paper bag at www.bagtoearth.com.
This article was first published in the Hudson Gazette.
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Articles
•Green Christmas
•Five Simple Ways to Reduce Energy Consumption at Home
Hudson Green Pages
•Going Green in Hudson
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