Faith-based activism is certainly in vogue these days so it should be no surprise that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced last week that houses of worship can now earn the Energy Star label.

There are an estimated 370,000 houses of worship across the United States which now can use Portfolio Manager to receive an energy performance rating, and the most energy efficient among them can earn the Energy Star label.

According to the US EPA website, most congregations can cut energy costs by up to 30% just by investing strategically in efficient equipment, facility upgrades and maintenance.  Worship facilities in the United States spend more than $3 billion annually on energy costs. Improving the energy efficiency of America’s houses of worship by just 10 percent would save nearly 2 billion kilowatt-hours each year, preventing more than 1 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions and representing a cost savings of about $315 million annually.

US EPA says that if America’s more than 300,000 houses of worship cut energy use by 10 percent nearly $200 million would be saved for congregations’ missions and other priorities. Think that’s all? They also say that more than 5.4 billion kWh of electricity would be available without additional cost and pollution and if that were not enough, more than 2 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions would be prevented, equivalent to the emissions of about 400,000 cars, or to planting over a half million acres of trees.

Don’t waste another minute reaching out to your house of worship and helping reduce the congregation’s carbon footprint. US EPA has a guide to help members work with their church, synagogue, mosque or any other religious building. With your help, your congregation could be the next to be awarded the Energy Star Congregation label and would be well on your way to reducing greenhouse gases.

Real Christmas trees benefit the environment by providing greenscape, absorbing carbon dioxide and giving off fresh oxygen. But, with more than 25 million real trees sold in America each holiday season, its important that we look at the end game of all where all these trees go once the glitter of Christmas wears off. It shouldn’t be news to you that simply throwing out your live Christmas tree is a clear environmental faux pas – but what should you do with it? The answer may depend on available programs near you, but most everyone should be able to find at least one eco-friendly option which suits their needs.

Every year, millions of Christmas trees are sent to landfills or dumped on public property in America.

Decorate for the Birds

Prepare for your tree for its environmentally-sound end by decorating with compostable decorations such as popcorn garlands. Using compostable décor on your tree means that you don’t have to undecorate the tree before putting it in your compost pile, sending it to your community’s compost facility, or (and I think this is the best idea!) putting the tree outside to be a feeder for the birds. That’s right, simply put your compostable, decorated tree in your backyard and enjoy your natural bird feeder.

Community Composting for Xmas Trees

There are more than 4,000 Christmas tree recycling programs in the Unites States. Go to your community’s municipal webpage or contact your local trash pickup service to inquire about composting programs they offer. Still can’t find a local resource? Go to Earth911 and type “Christmas tree” and your location into their search to find local programs. Many services offer curbside pick up. Considering that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates that about 24% of landfilled waste is yard clippings and compostable, doing your part to utilize your local programs can make a big dent in your personal contribution.

Still can’t find a local program in your area? Start your own Christmas tree recycling program and give the gift that lasts… less waste in our landfills.

For next year, use the buy local, buy organic rule for the purchase of your next real Christmas tree. Check out Local Harvest to find one of the more than 5,000 choose and cut Christmas Tree farms in the U.S.

And, if you are looking to the next step in low-impact living, consider purchasing a potted, living Christmas tree next year. Then, plant the tree in your yard after the holiday or consider donating it to a local arbor organization dedicated to greening your community. For those of you in the ever environmentally chic San Francisco, next year, rent a tree which will be picked up from you after the holidays and planted in the city.

Hope you had a happy holiday!

Image by Flickr user BowBrick used under a Creative Commons License.