For Immediate Release Contact: Sarah Green
December 9, 2004 Co-op America;
(202)872-5322
1612 K St. NW, Ste.
600
Washington, DC 20006
Deck the Halls with Organic Boughs;
2005's National Green Pages Offers Alternatives to Mass Market Decorations
WASHINGTON, DC - Millions of Americans are decorating their homes for the
holiday season, and much more than their tree can be green. Co-op America's
new 2005 National Green Pages makes helping the planet hassle-free, with
over 2,500 screened green businesses offering products from organic candles
to fair trade nativity scenes for consumers as they decorate their homes for
the holidays.
People buy and consume in the greatest of numbers during the holiday season,
which is why their support of green products over other products has the
most significant financial impact on communities and the environment. The
average consumer plans to spend over $700 this season specifically on
holiday gifts, decorations, food, and cards, according to the National
Retail Federation's 2004 Consumer Intentions and Actions survey. The "Green"
businesses are committed to operating in an environmentally and socially
responsible fashion. "Goods and services, jobs and empowerment, community
and environmental health - all of these are the products of green
businesses," says Co-op America Executive Director Alisa Gravitz.
The products that many Americans use for decorating such as tinsel,
artificial trees, scented candles, and lights tend not to be recyclable,
emit many different pollutants in production and often usage, and can add to
the greater whole of peak-time energy used in the evening by running lights
and accessories. There are alternatives, however, to mass produced,
resource-wasting gear, as thousands of green businesses that support organic
farming, fair trade, recycling, and living wages can be found in the
National Green Pages. A shopper can find everything he or she could possibly
need for holiday decorating, including clean-burning candles, energy efficient light bulbs,
organically grown trees, and any and all sustainably produced home and table furnishings.
Using green products, such as natural candles, reusable wrapping paper, and
organic wreathes, helps the planet by directing money towards
environmentally protective and humanitarian practices. These producers of
green products are also committed to paying a fair wage to artisans and
farmers who aid in the production of green products, which is not guaranteed
when buying non-green products. The Green Pages makes finding these green
companies easy for the lay-shopper by putting the contact information of all
the pre-screened companies together in a bound book, and online at
www.greenpages.org.
The National Green Pages is available for $11.95 with shipping by calling
1-800-58-GREEN or by surfing to www.greenpages.org.
# # #
Sarah Green is a Public Education and Media Intern for Co-op America, a
national nonprofit organization founded in 1982, providing the economic
strategies, organizing power and practical tools for businesses and
individuals to address today's social and environmental problems.
Additional Holiday Shopping Resources:
* The National Green Pages: Directory with over 2,500 screened
sustainable businesses, online at www.greenpages.org
* Ten Thousand Villages: Choose fairly traded handicrafts from
30 different countries, including holiday decorations.
www.tenthousandvillages.com
* Hempy's: Browse a large selection of high-quality hemp
clothing and accessories at www.hempys.com
* Global Exchange: A Fair Trade Federation member, this
organization offers hundreds of fair trade products, including coffee,
chocolate, and gift baskets. www.globalexchange.org
* Acorn Designs: Choose recycled, chlorine-free, and tree-free
holiday cards and stationary online at www.acorndesigns.org
* Diamond Organics: Provides nation-wide, overnight, home
delivery of fresh, all-organic food gift baskets. www.diamondorganics.com
* Botanical Earth: Offers gift baskets filled with handcrafted
botanical body care, solar-infused oils, and handmade hemp soaps.
www.botanicalearth.com
