Let's Make Black Friday A Green Friday
By Brittany Gordon
The Thanksgiving leftovers have barely been touched, and already it’s time to start thinking about hitting the stores for that perfect holiday gift. Ready or not, holiday shopping time is here, and EPA’s ENERGY STAR program wants to help you pick the perfect gift, that will keep on giving for years to come.
So, what’s on your list this year? Perhaps a new TV for Dad? Maybe a new video game system for the kids? No matter what you plan to buy, there is a great chance that you can find it with the ENERGY STAR label. With over 60 different kinds of products to choose from, there is an energy saving gift for every person on your list. Let’s face it…anyone can pick out a great gift. But choosing a present that will save your loved ones money –and helps protect our environment– is the gift that they will never forget.
If home entertainment is on your list, the ENERGY STAR label has everything you want. From Blu-ray disc players to home-theaters-in-a-box, you cannot go wrong giving the gift of energy efficient entertainment. If a brand new TV is on your wish list, just check out this statistic: ENERGY STAR qualified TVs use about 40 percent less energy than standard models!
You can also find the ENERGY STAR label on a slew of office products, including the latest in computer technology. Many gifts also use ENERGY STAR qualified battered chargers, like video game controls, digital cameras and even cordless lawn mowers. Looking for the ENERGY STAR when purchasing these products means a 35 percent energy savings compared to conventional chargers.
Once you have purchased all of those gifts for other people, don’t forget about fighting climate change in your own home. Before trimming the tree, make sure the on LED decorative light strings have earned the ENERGY STAR. These light strings use 75 percent less electricity than conventional incandescent light strings, and they come in a great selection of colors, shapes and sizes.
Hopefully you are now armed with a long list of gift possibilities that are good for both the environment and the wallet. Happy shopping!
About the author: Brittney Gordon is a member of the ENERGY STAR products communication team. Previously she worked as a broadcast journalist at TV stations in NYC, Erie, PA and Baltimore, MD.
Editor’s Note: The opinions expressed in Greenversations are those of the author. They do not reflect EPA policy, endorsement, or action, and EPA does not verify the accuracy or science of the contents of the blog.
Nov 26, 2010 @ 12:39:17
To be black from the others, not green.
The people happy if seen the sky is blue and the birds flying away it, but if it’s change to be black, maybe therefore something will be happen. Is it lightning ? or storm or rainfall or that make the people scare? Oh no, we need a green land, green things and green wisdom; and then after that the people hope the sky back to be blue again and also the rainbow rise with many fantastic colorful.
Nov 26, 2010 @ 17:27:11
As an advocate for the environment, I recently published an article discussing our obsession with “stuff” that is epitomized by Black Friday. Encouraging the purchase of green products, Energy Star is a step in the right direction however, I ask that this be taken further. While we are buying energy efficient goods, are we really purchasing long lasting, healthy non-toxic goods? “Designed for the dump” is how it is described in Annie Leonard’s, “The Story of Electronics” a must see. She very concisely examines the design, production and distribution of electronics stating we are creating a “global toxic emergency” and urges “product take back” laws. I agree. The EPA should be a proponent and supporter of this as well.
Nov 27, 2010 @ 05:40:54
Let’s make a green Saturday, Sunday, Monday,Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and, certainly,Friday too.
Nov 27, 2010 @ 10:44:47
EPA should ensure that all Energy Star products are healthy or health neutral. I recently tried to use a commercial Energy Star Maytag Washing Machine at a Laundromat. I presume that they recycle water because you could hear water sloshing inside the machine when not in use, but what they also appear to recycle is all of the toxic chemicals and fumes from laundry detergents, fabric softeners, solvents for stain removal, and other products previously used in the washing machine. Even after several washes using only baking soda, the washer reeked of fumes from detergents, scents, solvents, and other materials. Fumes from others’ cleaning products saturated the clothes washed in the maching with baking soda and a neutral detergent. Such macihines particularly in a commercial/community setting are a health challenge for many including adults and children with asthma, migraines, chemical sensitiviites, and breathing and lung disorders; these Energy Star washing machines are inacessible for people disabled by exposure to potent detergents, fabric solteners, scents and scents products. This is a problem that needs to be addressed. I wonder how many similar problems are being created as we sacrifice health to recycling and energy efficiency without always being cognizant of the impact of design changes on health and quality of life. Mary Lamielle, National Center for Environmental Health Strategies, Voorhees, New Jersey
Nov 28, 2010 @ 14:37:07
Energy-Star is a great guide to appliance buying not only now but year round. The appliances work well, last long, and the energy savings is great. It should also be said that natural gas and electric utilities many times offer rebates to consumers who buy certain kinds of Energy-Star products like stoves, dishwashers, heaters, washing machines, dryors, and air conditioners. There is also a similar program for appliances that conserve water. Best wishes, Michael E. Bailey.
Nov 29, 2010 @ 07:30:29
@Alexander: that is right !!
Nov 29, 2010 @ 16:38:08
While shopping for “green” items is a good choice, sometimes the better choice is to pick a gift that isn’t an item. One year I “gave” a friend a llama … in that I donated the price of the llama to a charity group that provides livestock and training to farmers in poverty-stricken areas. My friend frequently has yard sales to get rid of excess “stuff”; the last thing she needs is more of it. We’ve been known to make donations to our local animal shelters in our friends’ names – since they’re all pet lovers, that’s well-received. Sometimes, a gift of time is the most treasured; how about a “Mom’s Day Off” gift card, with the offer of a day of child care so the Moms on your list can have some alone time? The offer to cook dinner or a special treat is usually welcome, too. One of our favorite gifts is a certificate redeemable for one household repair of choice – that’s popular with friends who have limited skills when it comes to home repairs, and with those who need extra muscle for a big project. Give of your skills and abilities; those gifts will always be welcomed.
Nov 30, 2010 @ 16:39:52
Lets make! I am so glad that green people surrounding me.
Dec 07, 2010 @ 22:07:57
We appreciate what you are doing for our planet.
Dec 11, 2010 @ 19:13:00
With all the problems in the economy this is timely information. We need more effort to going green.
Jan 07, 2011 @ 00:21:31
Hi,
Thanks for sharing this post with us. It’s really an amazing post. Keep posting the good work in future too.
May 17, 2011 @ 23:30:06
I totally agree with all the responses in this article. Glad reading your page. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Jul 04, 2013 @ 13:33:47
Great and nice article. I think it’s an very informative blog. Thanks for sharing.