Jack Johnson Reclaimed Xmas Tree

by Katy Green

www.shoptobegreen.com

Jack Johnson is known for his happy songs and carefree surfer attitude which is totally cool but what I love most about this guy is his love for the environment and his Green Christmas Recycled Tree.

"Growing up in Hawaii, all the Christmas trees were shipped in from Oregon, and it seemed odd to me even as a kid to ship a tree here that'd been chopped down from somewhere else," says Jack Johnson.

Jack Johnson Recycled Xmas Tree
Coastal Living

So Johnson took his family to the beach, where a storm had washed ashore some wood and debris. "I think it was pieces of somebody's turquoise plywood deck that had been all beaten up and washed around, so it looked really neat—it was all weather worn, and it was Kim's favorite color, so I turned it into a tree."

The ornaments that adorn the tree or a collection of glass and different items that have washed up on the beach as well as glass ornaments given to Johnson to adorn the tree.  The top of their tree is directed with four cigarette lighters in different colors, radiating out like a perfect star.

Check out these cool recycled Christmas Trees:

Green Bottle Christmas Tree
Christmas trees out of beer bottles and soda cans to CD wreaths

Cardboard Tree

CD Christmas Tree with Tape

Household Waste Increases by 25% Over the Holidays

By Rima Mehta

Disposable dinnerware are not often the topic of tabletop conversation till a holiday arrives. And yet these simple objects raise complicated issues concerning environmental impact. To use them or not to use them, that is only one of the questions. While they are quite acceptable for serving large crowds, when dining is outdoors, they are the most practical holiday option as well. They also offer the quickest, easiest cleanup.



As we shop, celebrate, decorate, give gifts and travel this holiday season, we also generate a lot of waste and increase our energy use. The volume of household waste in the United States generally increases 25% between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day -- from 4 million tons to 5 million tons.


Here are some quick facts on disposables:


• 970 thousand tons of paper cups and plates were discarded in 2003 (EPA). If, we approximate 15 grams weight for each cup or plate, we get 64 billion paper cups and plates being thrown away every year in USA.


• 730 thousand tons of Styrofoam and plastic plates and cups (710 thousand tons were Styrofoam) were disposed in 2003 (EPA). Using 10 grams weight for each cup or plate, we get 73 billion mostly Styrofoam cups and plates being thrown away every year in USA.


• According to EPA statistics, a total of 3,810 thousand tons of plastic containers & bottles were thrown away in 2003. Using a generous number of 20 grams for each container, we get a number of 190 billion plastic containers & bottles being landfilled or incinerated every year.


• The above numbers do not include trash bags, grocery bags and other plastic materials like trays, utensils, clamshells, caps and other plastic packaging. A total of 8000 thousand tons of these items were discarded in 2003.


While, these numbers are alarming and have only increased overtime, there are many simple ways to “green” your holiday season by reducing, reusing and recycling. It takes only a small commitment to protect the environment.


Biodegradable plates and platters are the perfect alternative to traditional throwaway plates that are so popular for parties and any other time of the year. Many are even made of compostable material.




6" Palm Leaf Bowls

The benefits of using biodegradable plates are a lower environmental impact. Unlike, plastic coatings and Styrofoam materials that have the potential to last for centuries. According to the U.S. EPA, 25,000,000,000 foam cups are thrown away every year. Yes, that does say 25 billion in America alone. And that number doesn’t include plates and bowls. The foam cup that could be in your hand today will still be sitting in a landfill somewhere 500 years from now. Those are amazing statistics. Using disposable is easier but it is definitely not greener.

Fortunately, an increasing number of manufacturers are producing "green" paper ware not only from recycled wood products but also from bamboo, bagasse (sugar cane), palm leaves, potato starch and other easily renewable resources. One company that offers a long list of price comparisons for these alternative products is Shop to be Green.


It’s about leaving a legacy, inspiring others to become involved, and making a difference no matter how large or small. Think of the difference we can make by using alternatives.