Green Your Holiday Season with the 3 R'S...Recycle, Reuse and Reduce Throwaways and Trash

The holiday season is the perfect time to be eco- friendly and to have a Green Christmas. Try to eliminate the huge piles of Christmas trash that have to be picked up and dumped the week following Christmas, by planning ahead to recycle, reuse, and reduce the amount of your "throwaways." This coming year make a resolution to reduce waste, reuse and recycle as much as you can. Involve the entire family and have a happy Green Christmas and a happy Green New Year too.

Recycle:

*At holiday gatherings set up recycling bins before any party or celebration. The "bins" need not be regulation type given out by the city. Many types of containers will do such as... generic large plastic bags, clean storage bins, paper shopping bags and big cardboard boxes. Later, transfer contents to approved containers to be picked up by your city recycle program vehicles.

*Have one storage container for:

Clean glass

Plastic bottles

Aluminum cans

Cardboard and paper

Reuse

*Store- bought wrapping paper, gift bags, ribbons and boxes can be saved and used throughout the year. If you purchase solid color wrapping supplies and trimmings you will get more use than from only Christmas themed supplies. Set up used gift wrap on the ironing board, sprinkle lightly with water and "iron" out the wrinkles and creases with a low heat setting iron and your used paper will look good as new.

*Use the Sunday Comics or any colored newspaper tied with red yarn or ribbon for great wrapping paper.

*Use holiday cards for kids' craft projects or senior projects in nursing homes. Make gift cards from old cards.

*Choose decorations that can be stored and used year after year or make your own. Trimming your tree with popcorn and cranberry garlands is a fun project for the family. After the holidays put the tree outside (if it is real) with the popcorn and cranberries to feed the birds. Some communities will also pick up Christmas trees and use them for mulch. Consider buying an artificial tree to use year after year.

Reduce throw-aways ...Return plastic bags to the grocery store or bring your own tote bags. Reuse plastic bags at home.

*Buy gifts which are durable and environmentally friendly. Avoid presents that rely on disposable parts, such as batteries.

*If not sure what to buy, give gift cards or money. Memberships, subscriptions or sponsorship for an animal shelter are fine for the person who has everything.

*Try to buy food and drink packaged in recycled materials. Buy recycled.

*Discarded cell phones may be donated to local Domestic Violence programs through your cell service provider.

*Donate gently used clothes, toys, books appliances to local shelters and charity run thrift shops.

* Make your own scratch paper from used computer paper. Staple papers together and cut to size for shopping lists.

This season, by following just a few of these suggestions, you and your family can cut down on waste and trash and have an environmentally friendly holiday. Don't be the Grinch that trashed Christmas.

Sources:

Personal Experience.

Christmas Recycling.com

Best Holiday Recycling Ideas.com