Kermit the Frog once sung “It’s not easy being green.” The Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) of Great Britain agrees with the famous muppet.

ESRC research revealed evaluating environmental impact can be time consuming and confusing. This leaves consumers in ethical quandaries over purchases — feeling like they may have to compromise their earth-friendly values to purchase the things they want. Perhaps we want too much?

New Yorker Colin Beaven’s 2007 low-impact experiment, “The Year without Toilet Paper,” chronicles his efforts to “live light.” You will be hearing a lot more about the lighter lifestyle in years to come as mankind wrestles with the issues of reducing consumption, reusing resources, and recycling materials. Those three R’s (reduce, reuse, and recycle) are a handy way to evaluate our lifestyle, especially after excessive holiday consumption.

Earl and Davida Steinbrink purchased their Christmas tree from Tracy Sorrells at Oconee County’s only Christmas tree farm located on Radisson Road near Seneca.

“We always get a live tree each year,” said Davida.

Earl, a retired naturalist, added, “Afterwards I cut it into small pieces and spread it around in my wooded back yard. That way, it goes back to the earth.”

The debate over using fake trees—made from PVC (polyvinyl chloride) — or live ones continues to rage. But as scientists gain insight into the many hazards indestructible PVC’s, often laced with lead, contribute to the environment, it appears wise to support a local tree farmer.

Sorrells’ lovely 35 acres contains about 15 acres of cultivated Christmas trees. The farm is managed for birds and deer, and supports rabbits and an abundance of other wildlife. Tracy is a minimalist when it comes to chemical application, favoring pest-resistant cultivars.

After Christmas, it’s easy to recycle your tree. The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (DNR) visits Sorrells’ tree farm as well as Oconee County’s Solid Waste Facility to pick up spent Christmas trees each January. The DNR strategically deposits them in the lakes to encourage fish beds.

The solid waste facility grinds up the rest and Swain Still, its director, said Christmas trees contribute to the almost 6,000 tons of debris the site turns into mulch each year by grinding limbs less than eight inches in diameter.

However, in early 2008, a new heavy-duty grinder will be installed and be able to accommodate all sizes of trees, brush and stumps. By grinding a projected estimated 10,000 tons of refuse instead of putting it in our landfill, Oconee County can significantly extend the life of our landfill space.

Still noted that Oconee residents recoup $350,000 each year by bringing tons of glass, plastic, paper, metal and cardboard recyclables to county convenience centers. So it’s obvious many people take it seriously that “one person can make a difference.”

A few friends, all avid recyclers, weighed in on this question of how they will be “green’ going into the new year. (The interviewees asked that their last names not be printed.) Susan set herself “free from having a tree this year, but last year had one with a root ball and planted it in the yard where it is still living despite the drought.” A Clemson resident, Susan also reuses Christmas gift bags, Easter baskets, and decorations, and feels that it is important to be content and satisfied with what we have instead of always wanting more.

Nancy, who lives in Eugene, recycles wrapping paper and avoids the use of foils and plastics. Meanwhile, Marlene, of Seneca, suggests we should just use newspapers for wrapping gifts. Providence Christian Academy in Six Mile uses pre-used donated paper and then recycles it, so “part of our Christmas letters, notes, tests, and other pages were done on the ‘twice used papers.’”

But few of the above subjects commented on how to go one step beyond the “reduce, reuse, and recycle” model and also change the way we purchase our food, clothing and commodities.

The Web site www.care2.com has links to sustainable living shops and their products. For instance, consider buying gifts such as a countertop bag dryer made of wooden dowels to make it easier to reuse plastic bags.