Americans throw away 25% more trash during the Thanksgiving to New Year's holiday season than any other time of year. This extra garbage amounts to 25 million tons of trash. holidayrecycling.com
Sustainable Tips For A Green Holiday Season
There are many ways to reduce waste during the holiday season, while saving money and helping the environment at the same time. Read on for sustainable tips for the holiday season:
Recycle Christmas Trees. Christmas Trees are collected for recycling at the 755 Walden Street Compost Site. There is no charge.This year's collection dates are Fridays - Jan. 6 & 13 and Saturdays - Jan 7 & 14 9 AM to 3 PM. Also, consider purchasing a live tree that can be replanted.
Send E-cards rather than traditional holiday cards. Many websites offer free E-card services.
When hosting a holiday party, place recycling containers within arms reach in high use areas. Buy snacks and beverages in bulk rather than individual packs. Opt for reusable cups, napkins, & utensils rather than disposable products. Unused canned & packaged food can be donated to Open Table. Click Here for details.
When wrapping gifts, consider alternatives to traditional wrapping paper. Wrap gifts with usable items such as bandanas, scarves, decorative kitchen towels, and tins. Other alternatives include newspaper stories, magazine pictures, etc. If you do utilize traditional wrapping paper, consider wrapping paper with recycled content; avoid paper with metallic coloring. When packing gifts for shipping, consider using popcorn rather than styrofoam peanuts.
Recycle Styrofoam Block. Styrofoam block is collected for recycling after the holidays at the 755 Walden Street Compost Site free of charge or Saturday, Jan. 7 and Saturday, Jan. 14th from 9 A.M. to 2 P.M.
Recycle or Reuse Holiday Cards. Call St Jude’s Ranch at 702 294-7100 or click here for details.
Make Holiday Decorations From Recyclables. For a list of ideas click here.
Bring reusable bags when shopping for the holidays.
Gifts. Consider giving low environmental impact gifts. (i.e. event tickets, gift cards, subscriptions to clubs / organizations, online magazines subscriptions).
Recycle cardboard boxes. Curbside subscribers can leave cardboard by recycling bin (boxes flattened, 30” x 30” maximum please).
Holiday Lights. Consider LED lights over incadescent. LED lights last longer, use less energy and are more environmentally friendly. Click here for consumer report info.
Recycle items no longer needed. If your Christmas list includes a new laptop, ipad, ipod or cell phone, and your old one is working, you can recycle it securely and responsibly by dropping it off at 133 Keyes Road during business hours. These items are shipped to a firm in Ft. Worth, IN, where they are stripped of all material and refurbished for resale to disadvantaged students.
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