With Christmas being the season of spending, there's ways we can try to reduce our costs and our impact on the environment.

Jinny Toffelmire, Sustainability Specialist with the Town of Okotoks, says turning thermostats down to 20 degrees while at home or 17 while away, and making sure furnace filters are in top shape will help to save some cash on utility bills.

She says updating the type of lights used on Christmas trees and around the home can make a difference as well.

"For Christmas lights for those of you who still have standard ones and you're thinking of replacing them, the LED light strings are available all over town and they're also a lot brighter."

Toffelmire recommends using reusable methods to wrap gifts like wrapping them in tea towels, t-shirts, or tote bags to help reduce waste. Compostable paper plates, cutlery, and cups can be used for dinners and parties to help them go green.

Residents are being encouraged to be careful with idling their vehicles.

"This Christmas season we'd like to create an idle free Okotoks, so when we're out shopping and running some last minute errands it seems convenient to keep our engine and vehicle warm by just letting it idle while we're running around but really when we idle it harms our clean air and it can also harm our health."

For a full list of eco-friendly Christmas tips from the Town click here.

 

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