Going Green with Paper Lanterns

In today's world, it is important to be as environmentally-friendly as possible. With so many man-made objects causing so much pollution, it is important that we do all we can to avoid contributing more to environmental destruction. While most of us can't control what big corporations with factories do, we can change the things in our own lives which will add up to make a big difference. One way we can do this is through the use of paper lanterns.

Paper lanterns come in two forms: candle-lit and electrically-lit. Both can be environmentally friendly, as one uses no electricity and the other uses very little; paper lanterns use very little resources. In addition to using little resources, they can often be made with little resources; some paper lanterns are made with one hundred percent recycled materials.

Paper lanterns are simple devices. Candle-lit lanterns are made with as little as four things: paper, wire, an expander, and a candle. Electrically-lit lanterns use light bulbs instead of candles, so a cord with a socket is needed for these.

When buying a paper lantern, there are some things you'll want to look out for. Ask the manufacturer if the lantern is made with recycled materials or not; only buy from manufacturers that use recycled materials. Also, take a look at the expander that comes with the lantern; make sure the expander is metal, as these cost far less resources to use than plastic expanders, which require fossil fuels to create.

If you don't want to buy a lantern, then make one! It's easy to make a paper lantern. All you need is a paper bag and a candle. Put the candle in at the bottom of the bag (make sure the bag stays open) and light it. The Spanish have been making lanterns like these out of paper bags for years during Christmas time. Want another way to be green? Use a bag that's made out of recycled materials.

Electrically-lit lanterns are excellent choices as well. You'll need a cord with a socket on the end, which are readily available in many places. Many paper lanterns can be lit with as little as a sixty-watt incandescent bulb, but you can be even more green if you buy a CFC bulb (compact fluorescent bulb). A sixty-watt CFC will be as bright as a three hundred watt incandescent bulb!

If you love the outdoors, get yourself a mosquito-repelling candle. Place one in your paper lantern, and you can enjoy a dinner with your family outdoors, mosquito-free, while feeling good that you are doing your share to contribute towards a cleaner environment.

Visit the Paper Lanterns Guide today and learn more about lantern safety!