8 Ways to Green Your Winter Activities

This story is part of Earth911’s “Green Eight” series, where we showcase eight ways to green your life in various areas.

What kind of a “winter” person are you? Do the ski slopes call your name this time of year, or perhaps a marathon of holiday movies? Let’s run the gauntlet of winter activities for eight ways to make them more eco-friendly:

1. Don’t Trash Old Ski Equipment

You may already be aware that skis, snowboards and boots can be resold or donated when you get new equipment. But you can also recycle these products if they are beyond repair. The plastic can be shredded to create decking or lawn furniture, making them useful all year round.

2. Carpool to the Mall

Shopping malls have a great deal to offer during the winter: holiday shopping, heated movie theaters and even visits with Kris Kringle. But parking will likely be limited, so why not fill the car with friends instead of meeting there? You’ll reduce the carbon footprint of your trip and have more time for socializing.

3. Choose Organic Bedding

Shorter days and colder weather may cause you to spend more time bundled up in bed during the winter. If you’re looking for new sheets and blankets, organic cotton has environmental advantages. Traditionally grown cotton accounts for 16 percent of global pesticide use (more than any other crop). Organic cotton may cost a little more money, but your pesticide-free sheets will last years and go easier on the environment.

4. Exchange Video Games

If it’s too cold outside for a game of football, how about an intergalatic conquest? Time to break out your favorite video games to pass the time. But what happens when you get bored with a game (or when you’ve finally beaten Bowser Koopa or the evil Dr. Wily)? Many video game stores offer trade-in programs to get a discount on new games, and you’ll keep plastic CDs and cartridges out of the garbage. You can also rent video games from video stores or trade with a friend.

5. Make a Handmade Wreath

All you need for the perfect wreath is right outside your door.

If you’re a DIY-er, making a homemade wreath provides a pleasant way to pass the time. All you need is a few wire hangers from your closet (formed into a circle) and some scraps from your garden. Leaves, branches, flowers—anything that grows will make a great accessory to this winter décor favorite. Your wreath can be composted after the holidays (hangers removed, of course).

6. Recycle Bottles

Alcohol consumption increases during December and January, with many people wanting to warm up with a holiday toast or two. Yet, while the national recycling rate for glass soda and beer bottles is over 34 percent, wine and liquor glass bottles are only recycled 15 percent of the time.

Part of this is due to the fact that some bottle deposit laws only cover glass from carbonated beverages. Even though you aren’t getting paid to recycle your wine bottle, your curbside program will be happy to take that glass off your hands.

7. Green Your Photography

Holiday visitors and snow-covered landscapes make winter is a great time for photos. But cameras consume battery power quickly, so look into rechargeable batteries. You can also optimize battery life by taking pictures with lots of light (so you won’t use the flash) and turning off the LCD screen (you can use the viewfinder instead).

8. Properly Handle Antifreeze and Car Batteries

You may consider car maintenance more of a chore than an activity, but two areas of importance during cold weather are engine coolant (antifreeze) and your battery.

• If you need to replace a battery this winter, make sure you recycle the old one (the retailer you buy it from should accept your old battery for recycling).
• Keep antifreeze properly stored, because this poison’s sweet taste is appealing to children and animals.