Green holidays in the media

Dec. 8, 2020
Felices Eco-Fiestas Youtube
(In Spanish/en español) Fun green holidays tips, during a pandemic. Recorded at home, with social distancing, by Andrés Rodríguez, representing the EcoConsumer program – KUNS Univision Seattle TV News.

Nov. 12, 2020
Planning Your Greener Holidays presentation Youtube
Holidays will be different this year, for Covid safety, but King County EcoConsumer Tom Watson's presentation shows how we can still make our holiday activities more sustainable. Part of the Washington State University Snohomish County Extension Sustainability Speakers Series external link – WSU Snohomish County Extension YouTube channel.

Dec. 15, 2019
King County's Eco-Friendly Green Holidays external link
King County EcoConsumer Tom Watson talks about Christmas lights recycling, "giving an experience instead of stuff," and more with Lee Callahan on iHeart the Pacific Northwest, the public affairs show on Seattle radio stations KISS 106.1 FM, The Jet 95.7 FM, KUBE 93.3 FM, KZOK 102.5 FM, Jack 96.5 FM, KJR 1090 AM and KJR 950 AM.

Original air date: Dec. 12, 2019
KOMO4 News: Eco-friendly holidays - Greenery and menorahs Youtube | Featured resources
KOMO4's Molly Shen, UW student and wreath-maker Celine Fujikawa and King County EcoConsumer Tom Watson show a wreath and swag made at the U-District Farmers Market's annual Holiday Swag event, and Hanukkah menorahs made by third graders and high school students at Temple De Hirsch Sinai.

Nov. 19, 2019
KOMO4 News: Green and local Thanksgiving Youtube | Featured resources
Thanksgiving sides and pies, featuring Baked from the Hart, Sidhu Farms, Ballard Farmers Market, Early Bird Farm,  Capitol Hill Farmers Market and PCC Community Markets, with KOMO4's Ryan Yamamoto and King County EcoConsumer Tom Watson.

Dec. 3, 2018
Christmas lights start and end their lives in China, and could soon cost more external link
Eco-friendly options exist for Christmas lights, including recycling your old strings of lights—Seattle Times article by business reporter Benjamin Romano.

Nov. 28, 2018
Give Your Own Experiences for a Green Holiday external link
Storytelling can be its own gift. Article by King County EcoConsumer Tom Watson in the AgeWise King County newsletter, published by the Seattle-King County Advisory Council on Aging & Disability Services.

Nov. 14, 2018
KOMO4 News: Eat and drink green and local for the holidays Youtube | Featured resources
Holiday beverages and desserts, featuring Hierophant Meadery, Off the Branch Farm, The Sugar Queen Bakery, Flying Apron and A la Mode Pies, with KOMO4's Mary Nam and King County EcoConsumer Tom Watson.

Dec. 20, 2017
KOMO4 News: Holiday recycling and reuse Youtube | Featured resources
KOMO4's Mary Nam and King County EcoConsumer Tom Watson get festive with holiday waste.

Dec. 6, 2017
KOMO4 News: Green holidays Youtube | Featured resources
From a surprising holiday snack bar to a menorah made from old bottles to a gift idea parents might love, KOMO4's Molly Shen and King County EcoConsumer Tom Watson go green and local for the holidays.

Dec. 1, 2017
Greener, More Joyful Holidays for All external link
Fun tips for greening all your holidays. Article by King County EcoConsumer Tom Watson in the AgeWise King County newsletter

Nov. 24, 2017
Save Money, Energy And Emissions By Reducing Your Food Waste external link
Tips for reducing holiday food waste from King County Solid Waste Division's Karen May—story by Bellamy Pailthorp for KNKX Public Radio News.

Nov. 15, 2017
KOMO4 News: Green electronics Youtube | Featured resources
KOMO4’s Mary Nam and King County EcoConsumer Tom Watson review fun ideas for holiday shopping, or for your own needs for electronics, or alternatives to electronics!

Nov. 30, 2016
KOMO4 News: Green and local holidays Youtube | Featured resources
Go local and green at home by saving energy on holiday lighting, and then by buying locally-produced foods and other products for your gift-giving and entertaining! KOMO4's Mary Nam and King County's Tom Watson check out fun items from Hood Famous Bakeshop, Palengke, Soda Jerk, Bonnie B's Peppers, Herbivore Botanicals and more!

Nov. 16, 2016
KOMO4 News: DIY green holidays Youtube | Featured resources
KOMO4's Mary Nam and King County EcoConsumer Tom Watson show fun ideas for holiday gifts and decorations you can make from egg cartons, paper bags, pop bottles, fabric scraps and other recycled and salvaged items!

Nov. 1, 2016
10 Fun Tips for Making Your Holidays Green external link
If you plan to make some of your own “green” gifts and decorations this year, start early! Article by King County EcoConsumer Tom Watson in the AgeWise King County newsletter.

Dec. 24, 2015
KCPQ13 News: Holiday Recycling - What goes where? external link
King County's Tom Watson and KCPQ's Brien Blakely recycle the holidays, showing what you should do with everything from a broken toy to that failed holiday baking project. 

Dec. 23, 2015
KOMO4 News: Holiday recycling Youtube | Featured resources
Marilyn Lauderdale from Styro Recycle in Kent joins KOMO4’s Mary Nam and King County EcoConsumer Tom Watson to show how some common, hard-to-recycle holiday waste items get recycled.

Dec. 18, 2015
Green your holiday season with King County external link
Reduce climate change and save money with King County’s Green Holidays program resources – King County release, in the Enumclaw Courier-Herald.

Dec. 2, 2015
KOMO4 News: Green holidays Youtube | Featured resources
Bridget Charters from the Tom Douglas restaurants’ Hot Stove Society cooking school joins KOMO4’s Mary Nam and King County EcoConsumer Tom Watson as they check out an “experience gift” (cooking school classes), as well as a great green water conservation gift and fun Christmas and Hanukkah decorations.

Nov. 18, 2015
KOMO4 News: Green Thanksgiving Youtube | Featured resources
From the turkey and side dishes to the pre-meal snack tray to the table decorations, KOMO4’s Mary Nam and Steve Pool and King County EcoConsumer Tom Watson show how to make your Thanksgiving feast economical, local and eco-friendly!

Oct. 23, 2015
KOMO4 News: Eco-cool Halloween – costumes from reused and recycled materials Youtube | Featured resources
Need a "green" costume idea? Fifth and sixth graders from the Southwest King County Boys & Girls Club afterschool program have fun with KOMO’s Mary Nam and King County EcoConsumer Tom Watson, modeling Halloween costumes with a nature theme.

Jan. 8, 2015
CCTV News: Recyclers find innovative new uses for old Christmas trees external link
Report by Chris Casquejo featuring King County EcoConsumer Tom Watson and West Seattle Nursery—from CCTV America's Global Business program.

Dec. 26, 2014
Q13 News: Pro tips on what you can recycle this holiday season external link
King County EcoConsumer Tom Watson and Kelly O’Connell recycle the holidays—from KCPQ13 News.

Dec. 17, 2014
KOMO4 News: Green holiday entertaining Youtube | Featured resources
In this action-packed segment, KOMO's Mary Nam and Steve Pool and King County EcoConsumer Tom Watson have too much fun with ideas for greening your holiday parties and dinners.

Dec. 17, 2014
Rise in wasted food marks holiday season
American households toss out 25 percent of the food and drink they buy, adding up to more than $130 every month, and that number rises even higher during the holidays. King County can help you find ways to toss less, save more.

Dec. 15, 2014
King County makes it easier to celebrate ‘Green Holidays’
King County program offers advice and resources to reduce waste during holidays, such as Styrofoam packaging disposal, Christmas light recycling, fair-trade gifts

Dec. 12, 2014
Put holiday waste in its place by reducing and recyclingDownload PDF 977 K
Holiday recycling is the gift that keeps on giving—King County EcoConsumer column reprinted with permission from The Seattle Times

Dec. 3, 2014
KOMO4 News: Green and local food gifts Youtube | Featured resources
KOMO's Molly Shen and King County EcoConsumer Tom Watson check out great holiday gift ideas, including food books by local authors, locally-produced foods, and homemade muffins made from insects (cricket flour). All were delicious!

Nov. 28, 2014
Unique ideas for giving green holiday giftsDownload PDF 50 K
You don't need to keep recycling the same green gift ideas. This year, let's shake it up a little and get quirky, cool and distinctive with our holiday gifts—Seattle Times EcoConsumer column by Tom Watson.

Nov. 19, 2014
KOMO4 News: DIY green holiday gifts Youtube | Featured resources
KOMO's Mary Nam and Steve Pool and King County EcoConsumer Tom Watson have fun checking out some cool examples!

Nov. 11, 2014
‘Tis the season to go green while entertainingDownload PDF 48 K
But before the green guilt – a common Seattle-area condition – kicks in, remember that eco-conscious holiday entertaining doesn't have to be a chore or a burden. Having more fun and saving money are on the table, too—Seattle Times EcoConsumer column by Tom Watson.

Oct. 31, 2014
When it comes to electronics, consumers’ choices matterDownload PDF 48 K
Electronic devices are all about convenience, which helps to explain why we don't spend much time considering the environmental impact of our smartphones, tablets, laptops, TVs and all the rest. That shouldn't be our job, anyway—Seattle Times EcoConsumer column by Tom Watson.

Dec. 21, 2013
Green Gifts for Pets on KIRO FM external link
King County EcoConsumer Tom Watson discusses green gift ideas for Fido and Fluffy with the hosts of It's Raining Cats & Dogs on KIRO Radio.

Dec. 13, 2013
Shop your home for holiday ideasDownload PDF 61 K
By using household waste, leftover materials and trimmings from plants in your yard, you can create your own holiday decorations, gift wrap and even gifts—Seattle Times EcoConsumer column by Tom Watson.

Dec. 11, 2013
KOMO4 News: Green and local holiday gifts Youtube | Featured resources
From Sasquatch's stocking to a homemade gift from a toilet-paper roll, Tom and anchor Molly Shen check out fun, green and locally-made gift ideas.

Dec. 9, 2013
Conversations Live on KKNW external link
King County EcoConsumer Tom Watson joins host Vicki St. Clair for a half-hour radio chat about green holidays (click on green arrow, then middle of bar; Tom's interview is in second half of program).

Dec. 8, 2013
The Mike Nowak Show on WCPT, Chicago external link
Tom Watson's call-in visit to Mike Nowak's environmental and gardening radio show in Chicago (Tom's portion runs from about 16:00 to 48:00).

Dec. 4, 2013
King County helps you go green for the holiday season external link
Holiday waste reduction has never been easier, and King County's Green Holidays program is here to help—from the Tukwila Reporter.

Dec. 4, 2013
10 Creative Ideas for Greener Giving external link
Article by Tom Watson in AgeWise King County newsletter.

Nov. 29, 2013
Go green at home this gift-giving seasonDownload PDF 65 K
The "greenest" gift is one the recipient will actually use. This holiday season, increase your odds of successful green-gift giving by choosing eco-friendly items for the home—Seattle Times EcoConsumer column by Tom Watson.

Nov. 27, 2013
KOMO4 News: Green holiday decorating Youtube | Featured resources
Use those old coffee-cup sleeves, popsicle sticks, branches from the yard and even broken CDs to make holiday decorations! Tom shows anchor Molly Shen a few fun ideas.

Jan. 3, 2013
Don't just trash those old Christmas lights ? Recycle them external link
Consumer reporter Herb Weisbaum provides the latest info on holiday lights recycling, including some tips from King County EcoConsumer Tom Watson—from KOMO NewsRadio.

Dec. 26, 2012
KCPQ13 News: Post-Christmas recycling (video) external link
King County EcoConsumer Tom Watson and morning news anchor Kaci Aitchison wade through all the post-holiday recyclables, from gift wrap to old electronics—from KCPQ13 News.

Dec. 19, 2012
KOMO4 News: Green holidays in a hurry Youtube | Featured resources
Christmas is right around the corner, but it’s never too late to go green! Tom shows anchor Mary Nam some cool examples.

• EcoConsumer Pinterest board external link for this TV segment.

Dec. 16, 2012
Let holiday dollars speak by buying localDownload PDF 70 K
Buying locally for holiday gifts requires forethought if we want our money to have a voice—EcoConsumer column by Tom Watson.
Reprinted with permission from The Seattle Times.

Dec. 13, 2012
KIRO7 News: Holiday Recycling (YouTube)
Styro Recycle's Marilyn Lauderdale and King County EcoConsumer Tom Watson show reporter John Knicely some tips for holiday recycling—from KIRO7 News.

Dec. 12, 2012
Green Your Holidays: A Host of Great Ideas from King County external link
Taryn Zier gives a rave review of King County’s online Green Holidays guide—from Seattle’s Child.

Dec. 11, 2012
King County's Green Holidays offers fresh ideas external link
Eight timely tips from King County’s EcoConsumer program—from Mercer Island Reporter.

Dec. 5, 2012
KOMO4 News: Green toys Youtube | Featured resources
From a cardboard pirate ship to a refurbished bicycle, Tom and anchor Mary Nam check out fun examples of safe and eco-friendly toys.

• EcoConsumer Pinterest board external link for this TV segment.

Nov. 24, 2012
What to keep in mind for buying safe toysDownload PDF 107 K
Many of us will give toys as presents this holiday season. We just want to make a kid happy, but we need to be sure those toys are safe—EcoConsumer column by Tom Watson.
Reprinted with permission from The Seattle Times.

Nov. 14, 2012
KOMO4 News: Green Thanksgiving Youtube | Featured resources
Tom, anchor Mary Nam and weatherman Steve Pool sample green and local Thanksgiving foods. They also check out a fun eco-centerpiece, a great local farmers market basket and ways to store your left-overs. No turkeys were harmed in the making of this segment!

• EcoConsumer Pinterest board external link for this TV segment.

Dec. 15, 2011
KOMO4 News: Mariners help King County promote Green Holidays Youtube
At a media event at Safeco Field for the King County Green Holidays program, fruitcake pitching helped illustrate holiday waste reduction. King County EcoConsumer Tom Watson was joined by Seattle Mariners manager Eric Wedge, University of Washington softball player Kelli Seguro and local youth baseball players for the event, which also highlighted Safeco Field's impressive recycling program.

Dec. 1, 2011
O Christmas tree, shall it be real or made in China?Download PDF 24 K
They only show up for a few weeks every year, yet Christmas trees have still managed to become an environmental touchstone.
Reprinted with permission from The Seattle Times.

Nov. 18, 2011
Unwrap your imagination to make Christmas really greenDownload PDF 24 K
If you give numerous gifts and do lots of decorating and entertaining for Christmas or other winter holidays, it's still early enough to decide this year will be different. You can maintain the same level of holiday celebration, but instead of buying everything new you can make some gifts and decorations yourself.
Reprinted with permission from The Seattle Times.