It’s time for the Green Team’s annual sustainable holidays guide!
It’s remarkable to think that waste increases around 25%over the holidays. However, there are many ways to enjoy the holiday season while honoring God’s creation and “walking softly” upon the earth:
Shop locally.
Buying gifts from local merchants can dramatically decrease packaging waste and reduce the pollution and greenhouse gas emissions from long-distance delivery, all while supporting our local economy during a particularly challenging time.
Order Early.
If you need to order gifts online, you can decrease your footprint by ordering early and choosing the slowest shipping option. Most of the pollution from online packages comes in the final mile to your home!
Minimize food waste.
Did you know that 1 in every 3 bites of food is wasted?! Buy locally grown food, and freeze leftovers to enjoy warm and delicious reheated dishes throughout the winter months.
Reusable shopping bags.
Reuse your multi-use grocery bags while out shopping for gifts, not just at the market.
Recycle!
Wrapping paper, Christmas cards, trees, and even holiday lights can be recycled. Drop off used strings of lights through the annual free collection at Moorestown Hardware, sponsored by Sustainable Moorestown. And don’t forget to reuse or recycle card- board shipping boxes!
Donate.
DonateSkip the “stuff” and give the gift of a donation in honor of a loved one to a non- profit environmental cause or organization, food bank, or to purchase carbon offsets (for example, see carbonfund.org).
Just Be
The holidays are a time to spend time in quiet reflection on the wonder of creation, the new birth that God gives to all living things through the gift of Jesus Christ. Give yourself the gift of a break this year, by getting outdoors and experiencing the peace of and glory nature through activities like hiking, biking, etc. One place to start.
Finally, we had a remarkable response to our annual Thanksgiving packing event supporting local mission partner New Jersey Farmers Against Hunger. We welcomed and would like to sincerely thank all congregation members, as well as neighbors from our local communities, who came out to help pack several hundred bags of produce for food insecure families. This included distributing 75 bags to Bridge of Peace in Camden along with our thanksgiving baskets, and 100 bags to Prince of Peace in Marlton.
In 2024, please consider what resolution you can make to “Live the Love” and participate in the care of God’s creation in the New Year. To join the Green Team, or join our email list for upcoming events, please contact Brian Lestini.