How to Reduce Holiday Waste

Holiday waste can accumulate so quickly you will find yourself carting out trash bags full of wrapping paper, cards, ribbon, Christmas decorations, boxes, as well as all the extra household trash. Between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day, there is an estimated 25 percent increase in the amount of trash pick-up. Read on to learn how to reduce holiday waste.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. 

   Start by shopping with a canvas or vinyl shopping bag instead of using the plastic bag offered by the stores. The number of plastic grocery bags filling our landfills is staggering. Even if you can't always remember to bring a reusable bag, just doing it half the time will mean half the amount of bags. Every bit helps.

2. 

   Recycle that wrapping paper. Instead of just wrinkling it up into a wad, save the larger sections for wrapping future gifts. Whatever is not usable, shred and save for packing material. If you have too much, call up your local mail center and ask them if you can drop it off for them to use. When you are wrapping gifts yourself, try using the comics in the newspaper, or even cloth as a reusable wrapper. A silk scarf makes a beautiful covering.

3. 

   Buy recyclable batteries. With all the electronics that need batteries, tons of regular batteries get dumped when they run out. Get a simple recharger for under $20 and save money as well as our landfills.

4. 

   So much food is thrown out over the holidays. Of course, it is not advisable to eat more, just don't throw it into the trash can. Check with your local church or soup kitchen and donate it. If it is not something you can pass on, compost it. If it contains meat and not potatoes or onions, feed your pets. Cats and dogs love meat and need the protein.

5. 

   Don't put your Christmas tree in the trash. Remove all the ornaments and take it to a local recycle center where they can grind it up and use it for mulch. Of course, if it is a live tree plant it in your yard or ask your local park officials if you can donate it to them. If you have a brush pile, it is a great hiding place for birds to hide in for shelter when the snow and ice comes.

6. 

   Make your own decorations from items than can feed wildlife after you take them off the tree. Strings of popcorn are fun to make and well liked by the birds and squirrels. Paper chains are fabulous for kids to make and after Christmas, set them aside for packing material.