Obviously recycling has been heavy on my mind since learning of my city’s proposal to eliminate our curbside recycling service as a cost-cutting measure. (Yes, my blood is still boiling!)
This is just a reminder about one simple fact: the average household output of trash actually increases by 25% between Thanksgiving and New Year’s. There are a lot of opportunities to misstep this time of year…
Make sure to make wise choices as you go about preparing for the holidays:
- Think about the gifts you’re purchasing and what will happen to all of the packaging. Some things can actually be UN-packaged so YOU can do the recycling of boxes and materials.
- Reuse all of the wrapping materials you already have before you buy something new… take inventory! We often already have plenty if we made smart choices last year!
- Even when you purchase food for all of your holiday events, think about how they’re packaged. Choose recyclable materials and, well… recycle them!
- When you mail a gift, newspaper is a great cushioning material over bubble wrap and packing peanuts. Hopefully your recipient will toss the newspaper in the recycling bin after the box is opened.
Truly, this list could go on and on but, if you’re “here”, I think you already “know”… just don’t forget! Try to make “your 25%” a whole lot less.