"Give Green" by Decking the Halls with Less Waste This Year!
An
estimated 2.6 billion holiday cards are sold each year in the United States,
enough to fill a football field 10 stories high. It is estimated that
between Thanksgiving and the New Year an extra million tons of waste are
generated nationwide each week. In fact, 38,000 miles of ribbon alone is
thrown out each year--enough to tie a bow around the Earth!
As part of its ongoing efforts to reach a Zero Waste California, the California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) would like to help you cut the amount of trash you put out at the curb during the upcoming holiday season and is your one-stop site for all the simple steps you will need towards keeping holiday waste out of landfills. These pages are loaded with useful tips on reducing holiday waste. For more information, please e-mail CalRecycle's Office of Public Affairs, or call us at (916) 341-6300.
Holiday Waste Reduction Tips
RecycleStore--Showcases
innovative recycled-content products and puts you in touch directly with their
manufacturers.
Rechargeable
Batteries--Your presents include personal electronics and talking furry
friends? Be sure to stock up on rechargeables, a great gift idea that keeps
giving even after the holidays.
A
Season for Giving, Not for Discarding--Some tips and suggestions for
alternative gift wrapping, no-waste holiday practices, and innovative
gift-giving.
Waste
Prevention in Gift Wrapping--Breaking the "gift wrap" habit isn't easy, so
here are 10 simple ideas to get you started.
It's
Time to Open the Gifts--While opening the gifts, here are a few hints to get
you through the mountains of ribbon, stuffing, and wrapping.
Christmas
Tree Recycling--Once the big day has passed and the ornaments are safely
packed away for next year, there's just one thing left to do.
eRecycle--I
was so good this year that I got a new plasma TV, PDA (personal digital
assistant), and flat screen monitor. What should I as a consumer do with my used
electronics?
Shop,
shop, shop--What can you do so you're not left holding the plastic bag?
It's simple! Here are five helpful ways to get those plastic shopping
bags out of the environment.
CalRecycle, http://www.calrecycle.ca.gov
Public Affairs Office, opa@calrecycle.ca.gov (916) 341-6300