Green VI happily invites all VI residents to join in and help make the Holiday Season bright, green and sustainable!  Let’s embrace eco-friendly ways to say “Happy Holidays” and “I Love You” by re-thinking past customs and embracing creative new approaches to gifting, shopping, cooking, decorating and more. Here’s some tips for a “VI Green” Season of caring, sharing and living healthier: 

• Gift Experiences Instead of Things by gifting a sail, a hike, a mangrove excursion, a yoga, dance or cooking class or a lovely day trip to a sister island. And go together to enrich connections with loved ones.
• Shop Locally & Support Local Artisans who create eco-friendly products. This boosts our culture and our economy and also reduces the big carbon footprint made by shipping goods from afar.
• Green Your Decorations by using shells, leaves, plants, fruits, branches and other beautiful natural materials that can go back to the earth to reduce waste and plastic pollution.
• Cook Smart: Save energy by cooking multiple dishes at once and using smaller appliances where possible. Make tasty meals from leftovers and don't forget to compost kitchen scraps!
• Care More, Use Less & Reduce Waste: Minimize reliance on disposable foodware, ask guests to bring reusable containers to gatherings and take your eyes off the shiny baubles to keep what is actually needed in sight. 

To learn more about going “VI Green” visit greenvi.org and follow Green VI on Facebook and Instagram for tips on how we can make this holiday season a time of giving back to the earth and creating joyful memories with our loved ones.