Go Green this holiday season

GO GREEN THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

December 14, 2010

Want to be a little greener this year? You might ask yourself "What would Santa do?" After all, he's one busy dude during one of the world's big holidays. And, it turns out he's a pretty good example of taking a few small steps to save money and be kind to mother nature, even during the busy holiday seasons. So follow in Santa's steps and...

Trip chain. Does Santa go to Billy's house then back to the North Pole then back to Alisha's then to the North Pole then to Kou's house? He does NOT. Santa combines his errands and makes them all in one, well-planned trip.

Buy local. Santa gives away toys and clothes made right there at the North Pole by local crafts-elves! By buying local stuff, his gifts have not already traveled all around the world, using up fuel, before he delivers them.

Use less fossil fuel as you travel around. Okay, it may be hard to get a reindeer-drawn sleigh in your neighborhood. But how about walking, biking, taking the bus, getting out the cross-county skis, carpooling...or eco-driving when you get in your car?

Bring your own sack. You ever see Santa pulling those toys out of a store-provided, disposable paper or plastic bag. NOT. Santa reuses his earth-friendly cloth bag year after year after year!

Do a little research, make a list, check it twice. Before you head out to find that perfect gift, do a little research to save you from driving all over town. Santa gets lots of help researching the perfect gift for each girl and boy so he doesn't have to waste fuel returning gifts either.

Santa doesn't idle...so why should you? If you're going on a trip around the world or just doing errands around the neighborhood, there's no reason to keep your vehicle running for more than 30 seconds when you're stopped and waiting...at the drive-up, railroad crossing or picking up the kids from school . Idling can consume as much as a gallon of gas per hour and is also not an effective way to warm up your vehicle, even in cold weather. With modern engines, all you need is 30 seconds before your engine is warm enough to drive.

Turn down the thermostat. Santa, Mrs. Claus and all the elves wear warm snuggly clothes up there at the North Pole so they can turn the thermostat down a few degrees.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Mary Hamel (608) 267-7409

Last Revised: Tuesday, December 14, 2010