I'm dreaming of a green Christmas...
Who says the holiday season can't be eco-friendly, too? These world cities are celebrating the festive season in a more sustainable way.
Mulchfest returns to New York
There's nothing quite like the smell of a fresh Christmas tree. But when those once-vibrant green needles start to turn brown, it's time to give your tree a new life — of sorts. In early January, New York residents can bring their old trees to their nearest 'Mulchfest' site and watch as they are transformed into woodchips, which are then used to nourish the city's parklands.
Rent a Christmas tree in California
For those who can't bear the thought of cutting down a tree, Our City Forest in San Jose, California, may have come up with a solution. The urban forestry nonprofit rents out living, potted trees. Once Christmas is over, the trees are returned to the earth where they continue to grow. You can even rent the same tree every year — at least until it outgrows the living room.
Eco-lights shine in Manchester
It just wouldn't be Christmas without Christmas lights — and they can be eco-friendly too! Manchester is claiming to be the first UK city to use recycled 'eco' lights in its Christmas display this year. Some 35 kilometers (22 miles) of 360,000 low energy LED bulbs stretch through the town. They're also made of recycled materials and are mostly biodegradable.
Frankfurt goes green
While Germany is famous for its whimsical Christmas markets, most aren't exactly environmentally friendly. But one Christmas market in the city of Frankfurt is going green this year. From reusable cups to energy-efficient LED light bulbs, eco-friendly alternatives are all around. In fact, those who wish to operate a stand first need to meet certain environmental guidelines.
A 'tree' with a message in the Philippines
This unique 'Christmas tree' in Palawan also serves as a sobering reminder of the damage illegal logging causes. Standing at over 25-feet tall, it's made of 86 chainsaws out of almost a thousand that were confiscated by the Palawan NGO Network (PNNI) over a decade. It stays up all year round, so people remember to guard their pristine forest for generations to come.
No more ice in Mexico City
Ice rinks pop up in many cities around the world during the festive season. But they require a lot of energy to run, meaning they aren't particularly environmentally friendly. This year, Mexico City is doing away with its traditional ice rink in a bid to stay eco-conscious. People will still get to enjoy gliding along an acrylic surface and that will save on energy and cut down on emissions.