Americans throw away 25 percent more garbage during the holiday season. During the last week of December, 2006 and first week of January, 2007 Metro’s two transfer stations received 21.5 percent more garbage than average. Here are a few helpful tips to help you plan for less waste this holiday season:
Packaging and wrapping
Think about packaging before you buy. Purchase gifts with little or no packaging, or packaging that is recyclable. Be creative with wrapping and containers—put gifts in containers that can be used again, or wrap in fabric or use boxes, paper and bows saved from last season. Buy recycled-content giftwrap and greeting cards or make your own from brown kraft paper, paper bags or newsprint. Paint, draw, stamp or print designs on the paper. Avoid wrapping gifts in materials that are not recyclable or reusable, such as foil or plastic coated paper and tissue.
Give gifts without giving garbage
Homemade gifts are more personal, can be less expensive and don’t have wasteful packaging. Give a gift basket of homemade goodies, a wreath made of dried flowers from your garden or build a birdhouse. Handmade items from specialty stores or craft fairs are rarely wrapped in disposable packaging.
Give a gift of time or talent
Take someone to a play, concert or the Oregon Zoo. Make gift certificates for a special dinner, pet sitting or house cleaning. Offer your talents at gardening, photography or financial planning. Sign someone up for lessons in music, foreign language or a sport. Better yet, teach someone a skill you possess – knitting, furniture building or playing the piano, for example.
Recycle your Christmas tree
Recycle your tree, wreath or swag with your curbside yard debris or use a drop site or pick up service operated by a community group or businesses near you. Call Metro Recycling Information at 503-234-3000 for information about where and how to recycle your tree.
When the holidays are over, reuse or recycle what’s left
Save bows, containers, packing peanuts and wrapping paper for reuse next year. Make this year’s holiday cards into gift tags for next year. Recycle paper, boxes, cards and peanuts that you can’t reuse, as well as holiday catalogs and magazines.
Donate usable items that are replaced by gifts you receive
Do you want to get rid of any electronics, toys, household furnishings, clothing and accessories? If they are still in good working condition they can be donated to charitable organizations.
