Go green with holiday recycling tips
MADISON – The holiday season is a time of giving and sharing with family and friends.
While enjoying these traditions, you can also take steps to reduce waste, save money and
be creative while making the holidays green.
An average Wisconsin resident generates 1,259 pounds of solid waste each year. This
amounts to nearly three-and-a-half pounds per day, including both household waste and
an individual’s share of commercial waste. During the holidays, waste can increase with
extra packaging, gift wrap, disposable dishes, leftover food and more.
A variety of tips on reducing holiday waste, giving green gifts and reducing energy
consumption is available on the Department of Natural Resources website.
“From using less packaging and buying environmentally friendly gifts, to creative reuse
of materials in decorations, the holiday season offers many opportunities to reduce waste,
help the environment and save money,” says Cynthia Moore, DNR recycling manager.
The DNR’s holiday waste reduction tips can be found on the DNR’s EEK!
Environmental Education for Kids website. Some suggestions include:
Holiday Preparation Tips




Instead of incandescent lights, use energy-efficient LED lights for holiday
decorations. Have lights that no longer work? Many companies accept used light
strings for recycling and may even offer a discount on new lights. Talk to your
local retailer or search online for details.
Use a timer to turn off holiday lights when no one is awake to enjoy them.
Potted trees are a great waste-free alternative to cut trees and can be planted in the
yard in the spring.
At holiday parties, use washable plates, cups, silverware, tablecloths and napkins
instead of disposables.
Gift-Giving Tips




Look for gifts with little or no packaging, or packaging that can be easily reused
or recycled. Remember to bring your own reusable bags to bring your purchases
home.
Shop for experiences, not things. Give your family and friends tickets to a
concert, museum passes or tickets to a baseball game. Doing something together
is fun and leaves no waste.
Give gifts that help your friends and family live greener. Possibilities include bus
tickets, state park passes, compost bins, reusable grocery bags and rechargeable
batteries and chargers.
Show your support for recycling by purchasing gifts made of recycled material.
After-holiday Tips




After the holiday season is over, put cut trees in the yard to provide winter cover
for rabbits and birds. In the spring, chip the tree and use it for mulch.
Did you receive new electronics this holiday? Recycle your old electronics to
preserve resources and prevent toxins from entering the environment. Find a
recycler near you through E-Cycle Wisconsin.
Save and reuse ribbons, bows, gift bags and wrapping paper from year to year.
Recycle paper and boxes that are no longer useable.
Don’t throw away your holiday or greeting cards; use them to make new cards
next year or donate to organizations that could reuse them.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Kathleen Kiefaber, (608) 267-2463