Holiday Green Tips
The holiday season is filled with buying, wrapping, and generating waste! However, there are many ways to reduce, reuse and recycle while still having holiday cheer. See the tips below for ways to reduce waste throughout the season.
Tips for Shopping
Be sure to bring your own bags when shopping. Choose items that are minimally packaged. Shop on the internet and save on gas and avoid large crowds.
Gift Giving
Memories last a lifetime! Think about giving experiences instead of stuff! Movie tickets, memberships to museums, theme parks, bowling pass, photo shoots are all great gifts.
Trees
Consider buying a potted Christmas tree that can be planted after the holidays. You can recycle your Christmas tree at one of the 5 convenience centers in Gloucester after Christmas through January 31st. Be sure it is clear of decorations or lights.
Compost
Compost your kitchen food scraps from holiday dinners and parties. Remember compost fruit and vegetables wastes, only, not meat or grease. You can compost cardboard and plain paper as well.
Batteries
Whenever possible, invest in rechargeable batteries to go with electronic toys or gadgets.
Donate
New gifts will often replace toys and clothes that still have a useful life. Donate these gently used items to Goodwill, Salvation Army, Helping the Homeless Thrift, or local churches.
Recycle Cardboard and Boxes
The holiday season creates a tremendous amount of cardboard and paperboard(giftboxes) waste. Both corrugated cardboard and paperboard can be recycled at any of the 5 convenience centers in Gloucester.
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle Gift Wrap.
Don’t use wrapping paper. Just add reusable bows to holiday shopping bags or gift boxes.Only use the amount of gift wrap you need. If you do buy gift wrap look for recycled paper with the highest post consumer content you can find. Wrap gifts in brown paper bags or newspaper.
Trim The Waste
Trim your holiday card list to include just close friends and relatives. Save paper by sending e-cards or post on social media for all to see. Give your unwanted gifts to charity, along with last year’s gently used toys and clothes.
Reuse
Save your holiday decorations to reuse next year or donate those you no longer use. Use natural ornaments like pinecones when you can.
