Purchasing gifts?
Show some style when shopping by bringing your own reusable bags. Choose minimally-packaged items made with recycled content and give items that will be treasured, not thrown out before the next holiday season. Consider giving experiences, homemade and vintage gifts. Remember to wrap it recyclable by using old newspaper, paper gift wrap or a nice paper gift bag. A reusable bag or container is the gift wrap that keeps on giving. Check out these creative gift wrap reuse ideas.
Preparing a holiday meal?
Look for items in recyclable packaging and buy minimally- or non-packaged fresh produce, like that from local farmers markets. It’s always preferable to buy local! Compost your vegetable trimmings on your own. Prevent waste by making small changes such as using recyclable aluminum foil rather than plastic wrap for food storage. Serve your masterpiece on reusable plates and offer guests reusable flatware, glassware and napkins.
Sending cards?
Try e-cards or look for greetings made with recycled content (the more post-consumer content, the better). Include a note with your cards that they can be donated for reuse by sending to St. Judes Ranch for Children, where they will be repurposed into greetings for 2015. Other types of occasions are needed as well, so save those December birthday cards!
Recycle Unwanted Electronics.
If you're upgrading or unloading electronics, don't send them to the landfill! Look up recycling resources in your community or see if you might qualify for an e-waste collection after the holidays.
Loosen Your Drawers.
Clear out ill-fitting, outdated and otherwise unwanted clothing and other textiles (even the stuff you spilled cranberry sauce on at the holiday party) and bring them to a thrift store or donate them to a local church.
Having a holiday party?
Order some special event recycling bins from the Fibrex Group to collect all of those aluminum cans and glass bottles that you might otherwise discard. If your waste hauler accepts them at the curb, you’re set. If not, take them to a local recycling center and trade them in for some much needed cash after the holidays.
Rejoice. Celebrate. Recycle.
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