How To Reduce Waste and Recycle During the Holidays

Use these tips to reduce waste, build a better world and make your celebration even more meaningful!

1. Give gifts that are experiences: Adventure lovers and academics alike can find their magic in an experience. Look into book or film club memberships, dinner theater evenings, comedy club gift cards, garden memberships, upcoming concerts and adrenaline-fueled adventures. You’ll find something for everyone!
2. Use newspaper or fabric to wrap gifts: Choose to reuse when giving gifts this year. Fabric can make an elegant gift wrap or add a few laughs depending on your choice of pattern. And who doesn’t love to read the funnies when they’re guessing what you wrapped just for them?
3. Choose toys made from wood instead of plastic: Whether they are vintage garage sale finds or brand new from a crafty local artist, wooden toys add depth to the experience of play. Natural materials are more interesting to the senses than plastic and you aren’t promoting the use of fossil fuels when you purchase them instead!
4. Use washable dishes for your family meal: Start a new tradition or carry on an old one when you set your table this year! Washing and drying dishes together after a meal can be a great way to catch up with family or friends. And just imagine how much waste we reduce from the landfill when we stop using single-use disposables! Use our Recycling 101 to find out all the details on what to recycle.
5. Burn candles made from beeswax, soy, or coconut: Avoid using petroleum-based candles by checking their labels. Only purchase candles made from natural materials like beeswax, soy, or coconut. Alternatively, you can make a “simmer pot” of orange peels, cinnamon sticks and cloves on the stove to create a seasonal aroma for all to enjoy. Find more recipes here. Compost the remains!
6. Recycle your holiday lights and live trees: Download here or use these images: