Holiday Waste Reduction & Green Gifting Tips
Gift Giving Ideas
- Send holiday e-cards instead of standard greeting cards, or buy recycled content cards.
- Make gifts instead of purchasing them- baked goods are always fun.
- Give locally made gifts - support your local economy.
- Look for gifts that are minimally packaged, or have no package at all.
- Consider the impact of your gift.
- Re-gift - a wonderful way to recycle.
- Give the gift of reusables by giving a reusable grocery sack, water bottle or lunch container and teach someone the value of reuse.
- Gift certificates are great for gifts you know will be kept.
- Want to give a nonmaterial gift? How about giving to charity in someone’s name, or buy tickets to an event such as a concert, sports event, etc.
- Consider purchasing a more durable item that will last longer. If money is an issue for something of considerable value, consider going in on a gift for someone with other family members.
- Shop at thrift stores for unique gift items or holiday decorations.
- Purchase recycled contents products to close the recycling loop.
- When shopping for gifts, make sure to use reusable shopping bags!
Alternative Gift Wrapping Ideas
- Use brown paper sacks and decorate with markers, stamps, etc.
- Purchase sturdy gift bags to be used year after year.
- For large or hard to wrap gifts, just add a bow instead of gift wrap.
- Hide gifts and set-up a scavenger hunt for finding them.
- Put small gifts in a stocking and use every year.
- Wrap gifts in funny papers or old newspaper and decorate.
- Make gift tags from last years greeting cards.
- Wrap gifts in another gift - example: wrapping jewelry inside a scarf.
- If you do have to use wrapping paper, buy recycled content paper!
Party Waste Reduction Tips
- Buy baked goods and snacks in bulk or large volume.
- Use reusable tableware and, if you do not have enough of your own, borrow some from your neighbors and friends.
- Use cloth napkins instead of paper towels.
- Rent reusable party dishes from your local party rental company.
- Place plenty of easily identifiable recycling bins around during your party.
- Point out ways your party is practicing waste reduction and SPREAD THE WORD!
After the holidays...
- Save packing materials, wrapping and tissue paper for reuse.
- Use leftover gift wrap to line dresser drawers and shelves.
- Save bows, ribbon, tags and gift bags for next year.
- Cut up leftover wrap to make scratch pads.
- Compost your leftover food.
- Recycle your tree - Some communities collect trees to make mulch - check into your local program opportunities.
- Continue green living - learn from your actions, live better and become more eco-conscious all year long!
For more info on zero waste at Appalachian, please contact Jennifer Maxwell, Resource Conservation Specialist at maxwelljb@appstate.edu.