Holiday Want Not, Waste Not
If you are like most households, after the gift wrapping and unwrapping is over, what’s the first thing that happens? Many people just pick up those wrapping waste and pitches them all in the trash, even bows that aren’t even damaged. According to Earth 911, Americans alone, produce 25% more garbage from Thanksgiving to New Year’s. Wow! So instead of adding to that percentage try some of these tips to reduce the waste that comes out of your own home during this time.
1. Christmas Tree Waste: Instead of adding your tree to the pile by the curb, mulch it and use those clippings to add to your garden or flowerbed. You can even cut the tree in segments and place them in the bottom of a compost pile or even line a flower bed or walkway with the cuttings.
2. Gift Card Waste: Instead of pitching those holiday cards after the season is over, clip them and use them as gift tags the following year. I found it is neat to receive the card you sent the year before as a gift tag on your package for that current year. It adds a special touch to the receiver’s gift. And try switching your cards envelopes to plain white ones instead of colored ones. The white ones can be recycled over the colored ones that can’t.
3. Extra Gift Waste: If you received a new high-tech blender for Christmas, and you want the other one gone, don’t just throw it out. Recycle it, donate it or post it on a website such as FreeCycle to give to someone who is in need of one. You can use this link for everything and anything that is still functional that you don’t want anymore.
4. Wrapping Paper and Ribbon Waste: You got to pick up that big pile of wrapping paper waste and ribbons, so why not got through them and salvage what you can use again. Ribbons alone have years of life to them and some can’t even be recycled. Instead of using paper for your gifts, consider using newspaper or even cloth to wrap them up.
Consider these tips this year when the holiday season rolls around. You can save the planet and even save you some money in the long run.
*Natural and Sustainable Living Tip: Agaves are very drought tolerant and don’t consume as much water as many other plants might and will. Before you head out to purchase a plant of flower that needs a lot of water, consider purchasing a few agaves. You will save yourself money and the expense and waste of water as well.
Leave a Reply