Green Holiday

Americans are notorious for creating an amazing amount of waste during the Thanksgiving to New Year’s holiday period - as much as one million extra tons per week! The following guidelines will help you reduce waste during this holiday season. Give extra thought to what friends and family REALLY want or need.

GREEN GIFT IDEAS
•Evaluate the gift for simplicity and durability. Look for long-term warranties.
•Send rechargeable batteries along with electronic gifts.
•Give a garden - seeds, gloves, tools, etc.
•Give a bird feeder and seeds.
•Give cloth napkins and rings.
•Compost bin
•Cloth shopping bags
•Energy-saving light fixtures or compact fluorescents bulbs
•Gift basket filled with non-toxic household cleaners or recycled paper goods

GIVE SERVICES OR EXPERIENCES
•Season tickets to sporting events
•Movie or theater tickets
•House cleaning
•Baby sitting
•Gift certificates for favorite restaurants
•Gift certificates for car detailing
•Museum membership
•A hot-air balloon ride
HOLIDAY CARDS
•If purchasing cards, always look for recycled card stock.
•Send electronic greetings whenever possible.
•Recycle your old cards into “new” gift tags or tree ornaments.

GIFT WRAP - BE CREATIVE!
•Maps
•Scarves
•Old sheet music
•Newspaper/comics
•Fabric
•Wallpaper
•If buying gift-wrap, please look for wrap made from recycled paper!

PACKAGING ALTERNATIVES
•Reuse packing “peanuts” and bubble wrap that came in YOUR gifts.
•Take extra packing peanuts to local mailing stores.
•Use dray popcorn (and include a note that birds can eat it).

HOLIDAY TREES
•If you must have a cut tree, purchase it from a farm instead of cutting down one from the wild.
•Consider buying an artificial tree that can be reused year after year; or buy a live tree that can be planted in your yard.

ENTERTAINING
•Conserve heat!
•If you don't have enough china and glassware, consider renting these items instead of expensive, wasteful disposables.
•Use holiday cards as place cards.
•Plan food wisely for the amount of people you expect.
•If there are leftovers, don’t throw them away. Donate them to a local food bank, send some home with the guests or compost them.

THINK DONATE INSTEAD OF DISPOSE!

For further information, contact The Cumberland County Improvement Authority Dennis DeMatte Jr., Recycling Coordinator at 856-825-3700 or email http://ddematte@ccia-net.com.