Vancouver, Wash. – During the holidays, Americans generate about 1 million extra tons of garbage each week. The waste is often gift packaging, wrapping paper and leftover food.

Fortunately, you can reduce, reuse and recycle during the holiday season without cutting back on holiday cheer, according to Sally Fisher, Outreach Program coordinator.

Follow these tips if you dream of a green Christmas:

• Take inventory of things you no longer use and donate old toys and clothing to a thrift store before you buy more. Even if the clothes can no longer be worn, thrift stores will generally sell them to textile recyclers.
• Remember to take reusable bags on your shopping trips.
• Consider gift bags or baskets or a reusable bag, all of which can be used again, instead of wrapping paper.
• Rechargeable batteries are a gift that keeps those holiday toys and gadgets running. They greatly reduce the number of batteries thrown into the landfill.
• If Santa deemed you nice and left you a new flat-screen TV, tablet, smart phone or other electronic gadget, be sure to responsibly e-cycle your old technology. Many nonprofits will accept working cell phones and computers. Visit www.recyclingA-Z.com for more details.
• Rather than mailing paper holiday cards, consider sending e-cards or an e-newsletter. Recycle paper cards you receive.

Food for thought: about half of all produce in the United States is thrown away annually, according to a 2016 Guardian report. Discarded food is the biggest single component of U.S. landfill and incinerators, the Environmental Protection Agency says. This holiday season, buy only what you need, share extra food and plan to use leftovers.

“Make your New Year’s resolution to practice the three Rs every day: reduce, reuse and recycle,” said Fisher.

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CONTACT
Sally Fisher
Public Health
360.397.2121 ext.4939
sally.fisher@clark.wa.gov