Sustainability Spotlight - December 2020 - Winter Holidays in Wheat Ridge
By: April Nowak, Sustainable Wheat Ridge member
2020 has been an incredibly challenging year to say the least. We hope you are all staying healthy and safe this holiday season. As we look toward the winter holidays in Wheat Ridge, we suggest some ways to support your neighbors in need and take part in holiday traditions, keeping sustainability in mind.
Give a Hand: We all need support in our lives. This winter, it’s the gift of you! A phone-call, text, or card to a neighbor, relative, or friend is especially useful during the holidays. The pandemic has cut people off, especially our older neighbors, from activities and socialization. This year, give the gift of your time and compassion.
Financial Gifts: If you are fortunate enough to have extra resources, consider donating money to an organization that’s making a difference during the pandemic, including those that provide housing, financial assistance, or food.
- Food banks
- Local charities
- Health centers
- Environmental organizations
Donate Things: Support our community, while keeping valuable items out of the landfill.
There are many ways you can give a hand this season, check out the Help Guide for more ways.
Gift Giving:
- Support local business by purchasing gift cards, buying local, and ordering food to go. Many businesses have pickup options. Check out the new Eat Ridge page for more information.
- Give something edible. Make a dessert or a healthy snack packaged in reusable mason jars.
- Give products that will help your friends and family go green, such as reusable mugs, water bottles, bags or lunch containers.
- Give something edible. Make a dessert or a healthy snack packaged in reusable mason jars.
Gift Wrapping: Reuse newspapers, maps, posters, fabric, calendars, and cloth bags to wrap tape-free gifts. Twine and plant clippings can be used for decorating and closing packages. Shop locally, including thrift, consignment, and second-hand stores. For shipping, replace foam or bubble wrap with balled-up newspaper or magazine pages.
Tree Recycling: Holiday lights and trees are a festive way to brighten our long and cold nights. The City provides tree recycling services until mid-February. Remove all ornamentation, tree stands, twine, lights, and garland. Yard waste and other debris will not be accepted. Drop-off sites are open daily from sunrise until sunset for Wheat Ridge residents at the following park locations:
- Prospect Park - 11300 W. 44th Ave.
- Panorama Park - 3400 Fenton St.
For more information, contact the Parks, Forestry and Open Space office at 303-205-7556.
Holiday Lights: When using lights to decorate, consider more efficient LED strings. If you have older incandescent string lights, you can recycle incandescent string lights and LED string lights at SustainAbility. Use a timer to save electricity.
The Sustainable Wheat Ridge resident advisory committee represents passionate neighbors who are dedicated to our City, our place in the region, Colorado, and Earth.
