 Dump truck made from an old milk carton. Image: Green Toys |
The consumer craze of post-Thanksgiving product purchasing has begun. Hanukah celebrators light their first candles in a little more than 48 hours, and though a few more hours must pass before Christmas, now鈥檚 as good a time as any to consider what gifts to give.
Last year, we told you about and in lieu of actual hold-in-hand presents. We also gave you some . Below, four of the more creative green gift ideas we鈥檝e come across so far this holiday season. Check back in the next few weeks for more gifts that won鈥檛 hurt the planet.
Carbon Credits
 Certificate given to someone who purchases carbon credits. Image: Adirondack Council |
Looking for something to give the eco-pal who has everything? Why not wipe away her carbon footprint for the year? The not-for-profit offers just that, by way of its 鈥楥arbon Zero鈥 holiday gift. 鈥淎t [quarterly carbon dioxide] auctions, power plants from Maine to Maryland compete to buy one government-issued 鈥榓llowance鈥 for each ton of carbon they release into the air each year. We complete against them and buy up as many as we can,鈥 says Brian L. Houseal, Adirondack Council鈥檚 executive director. 鈥淲e then remove the allowances from circulation so they can never be used to create greenhouse gas pollution.鈥 Twenty-five dollars retires about three tons of carbon emissions. Click for details or to purchase.
Bottle Makeover
 Goblets made from reclaimed wine bottles. Image: The Green Glass Company |
Glass is loads better than plastic when it comes to bottles, as long as the glass eventually gets recycled. got creative here, reclaiming old bottles and turning them into vases, water glasses, votive candle holders, and much more. They鈥檙e beautiful containers that give new meaning to the term 鈥渞ecycled.鈥 My personal favorites are the . (I must not be alone there, since several of these models are out of stock.) The are pretty cool, too.
From Milk to Toys
 Tea set made from recycled plastic. Image: Green Toys |
If you have a kid to shop for, consider something from Green Toys, like it鈥檚 100% recycled (above) made from an old milk carton. With these toys, the company鈥檚 founders wanted 鈥渢o provide consumers with an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional plastic toys while making an effort to improve and preserve the world around us.鈥 For the budding cook, there鈥檚 a ; for the little host or hostess, . Both are made from milk cartons, without BPA, and align with the FDA鈥檚 .
Record Come Back
 Bowl made from an old record. Image: Jeff Davis, Vinylux |
Vinyls are back, but not for music listening this time. Rather, is reincarnating them as coasters, clocks, and mirrors, among other products. Love that 45 but ditched the player ages ago? Be reminded of your musical love affair with a . 鈥淓ach bowl is created from a single record, which has been molded in to a vessel form,鈥 states the Vinylux website. Don鈥t have one to send in? Choose a record from a dozen musical genres the company offers, including rock, blues, disco, show tunes, and classical.