Question of the Week: How will you handle holiday waste?
Posted on December 29th, 2008 - 10:30 AMEach week we ask a question related to the environment. Please let us know your thoughts as comments. Feel free to respond to earlier comments or post new ideas. Previous questions.
One of the “gifts of the season” we usually overlook is the amount of STUFF we have left over - food scraps, dead batteries, old fir trees, and more. But most of these things can be recycled or reused in some way, or at least disposed of properly.
How will you handle holiday waste?
Tags: holidays
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Question of the Week
December 29th, 2008 at 11:44 am
Wrapping, plastics, etc will be recycled in single stream by our township. Christmas tree will be chipped and offered as mulch by township in their program to recycle garden and lawn waste.
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December 29th, 2008 at 11:46 am
Everything recycled in our own compost or at recycle center.
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Terryfulton12 reply on December 29, 2008 5:55 pm:
yes but for how lomg
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Terryfulton12 reply on December 29, 2008 5:57 pm:
It is only waste if not used properly buriel is not the answer
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December 29th, 2008 at 11:47 am
We don’t have much in scrap. We eat leftovers - all of them. We use bags instead of wrapping paper (except for the 2 small kids) and reuse them again and again - including as much of the tissue paper as possible - if it is even used (including repairing when necessary). The tree is recycled by the city for mulch. Rechargeable batteries, until they are no good and then to the recycling center. Our kitchen has a row of recycle bins that are labeled. Christmas lights are not kept on overnight - and we are buying LEDs now that the sales are on for future years. We look forward to more ideas from others.
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December 29th, 2008 at 11:47 am
I work for one of Covanta Energy’s Biomass Power Plants. We started a program called “Make your Xmas Renewable.” We allow the community to drop off Christmas trees at our site. We will use the trees as renewable fuel for our Biomass Power plant.
Just another way Covanta makes energy from waste….
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Scott Casper reply on December 29, 2008 2:14 pm:
Our village recycles Christmas trees as well.
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December 29th, 2008 at 11:50 am
We tried to decrease the amount of waste this year. We saved last year’s gift bags and wrapping paper. We went to a Potluck Christmas Party & each of the guests wrapped a plate to go at the end. We gave fewer gifts with lots of packaging. We use a fake Christmas tree so no waste there. This holiday season brought so many lessons for the whole world. I’m lucky to have what I do so reducing what I waste is in the forefront of my mind.
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December 29th, 2008 at 11:52 am
We will keep our tree up until sometime towards the end of January, then cut it up and use it for firewood. All leftover food scraps get composted, all dead batteries get recycled, and all holiday tins/gift boxes/gift bags that are still nice-looking get saved to be re-used next year! I have a large family, so it is very handy to save these, especially if the design on them is generic and I can use them for birthdays or anniversaries.
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December 29th, 2008 at 11:52 am
We will recycle as much of the gift wrapping paper and boxes as possible. The Christmas tree will most likely be placed (not dumped) in my parent’s backyard (with permission) so it can biograde in their forested upland/wetland to create more build up the soils and groundcover material. (Instead of the tree being burned on a beach with the rest of the Christmas trees!)
We had Christmas in PA and they don’t recycle (have curb-side pickup) soda/beer cans/bottles - people just throw them away! There’s no incentive (or fine) to recycle! This should be fixed!!
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Gaylyn reply on December 29, 2008 1:28 pm:
Hi. I live in PA and wanted to clarify on this issue. We do have a state-wide recycling law. What or if you have to recycle is based on the population size of your community. The municality that I used to live in was only 200 people, so we did not have a curb-side recycling program. To counteract that, the municipality set up recycling bins in the school parking lots. I now live in a larger community that must recycle plastic, glass, and paper. It’s not that people in PA do not recycle; it’s just the way that the state law is written.
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Deb reply on January 5, 2009 8:14 am:
I live in PA in a very small community where recycling is voluntary. Recycling bins are set up in a local shopping center parking lot. I’m proud to say that there is usually several people dropping items off when I get there and many times the bins are full. Could we do better…YES! I will be happy when we have curb side recycling.
My Christmas tree is outside next to some other trees so the birds can use it for protection over the winter.
Leftovers were placed in containers and sent home with my guests.
My family could do better with the wrapping paper…next year, gift bags only.
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December 29th, 2008 at 11:55 am
I’ll burn my Xmas tree in the back yard, and maybe throw on excess cardboard boxes. But I won’t throw anything plastic on the fire, because that creates toxins including dioxin. One should never burn plastics!
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Christy T reply on January 5, 2009 10:36 am:
glad I do not live next door to you. Like many people, I have developed fairly severe asthma in adulthood, I assume in part because of the overall “load” in the air. For the last several years I lived next door to someone who smoked meat in her back yard; I could often not open my windows. I frankly didn’t know there were still areas which condone public burning of waste, whether small towns or large cities.
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December 29th, 2008 at 11:56 am
Nearly every holiday season has become a chance to clean out Mom’s basement. I am very interested in knowing what people do with old cheap particle-board furniture, and old blankets and clothes with holes and stains. I argue that someone can reuse the furniture, even if it’s less-than-par. I’m not sure about the linens, though. There are only so many uses for rags. Does anyone make rag rugs (locally, preferred) anymore?
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spm reply on December 30, 2008 9:26 am:
Our newspaper has an online version with a “Take My Stuff” section - people post all kinds of things. THe adage “one man’s trash is another’s treasure” is very true!
I know an artist locally that recycles unusable clothes into weavable projects, like rugs, etc. Contact an art school or textile program at a community college and see what they can do for you.
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Recycle Raccoon reply on December 30, 2008 10:32 am:
There are also private companies that recycle textiles. USA’gain is popular in the Wisconsin area. They reuse what can be reused and recycle or make rags with what can not be reused. Their website is http://www.usagain2.com/ but I am sure if you google textile recycling you can find other options in your area.
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Christy T reply on January 5, 2009 10:40 am:
I live in Cleveland, and persistent googling did NOT turn up any companies which recycle textiles. The listings I got made me wonder whether the markets for recycled textiles are all non- USA. If anyone at the EPA monitors this forum it would be really good to know how to recycle textiles. I was moving and took all that I could to recycle, goodwill, freecycled anything worthwhile, but could not find anything to do with textile waste. (stuff too ripped, worn stained etc for Goodwill or Salvation Army.)
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Leigh reply on December 31, 2008 11:20 am:
I use freecycle.org to post all my unwanted items. You will be surprised at all the items people will take off your hands. Old blankets and clothes may make nice pet bedding. For things that are of value, I sell them on Yahoo’s Tag Sale. Both sites are free to post and buy.
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December 29th, 2008 at 11:57 am
Christmas Tree & Decorations: artificial — stored away for use next season.
Wrapping: bows, tissue paper, & shirt boxes are saved for reuse. Foil-faced wrapping paper & torn boxes are broken down, folded and placed in the trash [approximately one kitchen-sized trash bag for a family of five (5)].
Left-over food is refrigerated for future meals. Food scraps are placed in the trash for disposal.
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December 29th, 2008 at 11:58 am
We recycle all of the boxes, paper and plastic. All left over food goes to the compost pile. We have a fake tree so that just gets boxed up.
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Jass reply on December 31, 2008 11:33 pm:
How do you recycle all of boxes and plastic?????……………………?
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December 29th, 2008 at 11:58 am
Recycle everything. Wrapping paper will be reused if possible. Otherwise recycled. Bows reused. Boxes will be reused or recycled. Xmas tree will be put in yard to provide nesting opportunities for birds and eventually composted.
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Recycle Raccoon reply on December 30, 2008 10:34 am:
Make sure metallic wrapping paper is accepted for recycling in your community. Some recycling facilities (like ours in Waukesha, WI) don’t have markets for that type of paper. It is much more difficult to recycle traditional wrapping paper than ‘regular’ paper. If your wrapping paper feels like a grocery store paper bag & isn’t coated then it is for sure recyclable. Consider reuse options if you can’t recycle it. I have a list of 12 ideas at my blog, http://recycleraccoon.wordpress.com/2008/12/23/12-ways-to-reuse-wrapping-paper/
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December 29th, 2008 at 12:00 pm
I use Every single day to Fullfill my Dreams n Achieving my Goals…. so Holiday dont matter……..Thank U….
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December 29th, 2008 at 12:08 pm
I am a big fan of Freecycle. It is a great way to pass along those items that we can’t use anymore, but don’t really lend themselves to being donated. I have given away everything from a large computer desk to an almost full bottle of fabric softener! It is a great resource, and keeps many, many things out of the landfill.
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December 29th, 2008 at 12:10 pm
I will donate my tree to the local arboretum for bird shelter. Plus, I use/reuse gift bags as much as possible. When using wrapping paper, I give the larger pieces to the preschool, who recycles the paper for cutting activities with the children.
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December 29th, 2008 at 12:12 pm
reduce reuse recycle1
I try not to buy stuff with excessive packaging. I save tissue paper and gift bags to use next year. About a month before the holidays I start saving small boxes to reuse for gift wrapping. Wrapping paper gets recycled, as well as, packaging. I am happy that my kids are getting older and not every toy comes wired to that clear plastic. Old batteries get recycled too, although, we are having less and less of those too because I started to invest in rechargeables. Our tree gets reuse in the spring. We delimb it and use the trunk for our May pole. Food gets eaten! by us or by our chickens. I save the holiday cards we receive every year to use them the next year for package tags and when the kids were younger I would put tape on the back of them and let them stick them to the walls as part of our decorating.
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December 29th, 2008 at 12:14 pm
We had stopped wrapping gifts as a start. Our city has a recycle program to handle most of the balance. Leftovers are divided as people leave, I have a grandson living with me for the balance of the food.
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December 29th, 2008 at 12:17 pm
Tree to city program for chipping and composting christmas trees. Mulch generated from program is made available free to residents for fixed period of time.
Batteries to city hazardous waste program.
Paper and cardboard to city recyling program.
Items not accepted by city program to Ecology Action (nonprofit recycling facility).
Old calendars and cards to local school programs for art projects.
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December 29th, 2008 at 12:18 pm
All carboard went into the recycling bin. Since I don’t wrap presents, there is no wrapping paper going into the waste. The tree we recycle at the end of the season by turning it into mulch.
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December 29th, 2008 at 12:22 pm
Do you mean how I handle holiday waste as in the notion that the holiday season is all about consumerism and consumption? I handle that by not giving in to the pressures of buy buy buy, and give gifts that have a longer impact than simple possessions. I help cook in a soup kitchen, make notebooks for friends and family using paper that has been used only on one side, knit gloves and perform tasks like cleaning out a neglected garden so that in the spring, my friends and family can enjoy their own homegrown fruits and veggies. These things tend to not generate waste but instead reduce waste during the holidays, in terms of my time, my money, and the traditional garbage generated during the holidays.
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Mary in PA reply on December 30, 2008 7:51 am:
I sure wish you lived near me. But I totally agree. Helping someone with their garden chores and working at a soup kitchen are great gifts for the receivers and for you as well. Keep up the great work.
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December 29th, 2008 at 12:45 pm
We do not overlook STUFF. We don’t do real trees but we do have a tree. We do a real wreath and recycle to city for composting after cutting out the metal for recycling.We recycle or compost everything else. We take what we can eat and eat what we take until it is gone. P.S. We are not obese.
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December 29th, 2008 at 12:47 pm
it’s important what do we do during week . if we spend things what we need but not over .we have little waste and very little recycle because nature recycle many things . SINGLE our problem is : buy things that we don’t need it in TOMORROW or a next week.
especially in about foods and clothes and in this century in electronic utensil .
human is in the earth for life for self and other . if we want best for our self we must want best for other (human, nature,animal …. ).
NOW give things that you don’t need it. for rescue the earth.
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December 29th, 2008 at 12:56 pm
For the most part, we try to recycle what we can, including tissue paper, wrapping and bows. Some of the waste paper we use as fire starter, but that is something that we have to be careful with as well. Boxes are broken down and recycled at the house for use with storage, and for future presents. Our tree spends the winter out on the deck in the snow for the birds and critters to play with until it gets hauled to our burn pile for the annual brush burn in the spring. I was impressed with the smaller amount of waste this year than in years past…with the exception of a couple of toys where the packaging is outrageous, things weren’t nearly as bad as I thought they would be!
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December 29th, 2008 at 12:57 pm
Reusing, Recycling, Composting, Regifting :)
All the Holiday Bags that were used for gifts, will be stored for future reuse. Wrapping paper that can’t be reused, will be recycled along with the boxes and packaging materials items came in. Alas, the plastic windows on the boxes, the plastic straps that held toys in place, the plastic bags that candy was wrapped in, will be sent to the landfill. But food will either be shared in my office or composted if it can’t be eaten. Our recycling bins will be overflowing, and care will need to be taken that animals don’t find our compost more appealing than usual - but our trash can level will remain unchanged.
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December 29th, 2008 at 1:14 pm
We have a woodstove for heat and live in a cabin in a national forest. The tree and wrapping will be used to heat the cabin. Batteries, unfortunately, have no alternative other than to be thrown away.
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Steph reply on December 30, 2008 8:56 am:
May I ask in what national forest you live? Do you get to love there because you work there? I would love to love in a national forest but I thought ordinary citizens weren’t allowed to do that. I also burn my wrapping paper and reuse gift bags. I try to never buy plastic because of its “forever in a landfill.” I prefer to give gifts of homemade suet cakes. The recipients and the birds love them!
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Bridget B Green reply on January 1, 2009 1:44 pm:
No place to recycle batteries near you? Maybe at the nearest fire department?
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December 29th, 2008 at 1:22 pm
We freeze baked goods to extend the enjoyment of them into January and beyond. Eat or compost leftovers. Use very little wrapping paper- use the wrapping paper that is used for fire starter. For gifts, try to use bags that can be reused again and again. We feed the tree to the goats- gets recycled into great fertilizer.
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December 29th, 2008 at 1:23 pm
Extravagance is the most effective concept that this,harmful for us and for the world.I’m trying to use my stuffs logically,i mean i pay attention using recycling stuffs.if we pay attention on this,using lifetime of stuffs remain and we can use stuffs better.if we want to more suitable life we must be careful about this subject.
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December 29th, 2008 at 1:27 pm
We were very conscience this year. We will of course re-cycle the tree at the local park progam. We put the gingerbread house outside for the squarles. We opened gifts and boxes and bags and bows extra carefully and I have saved all of it for next year, I have more tissue paper and wrap then I did when I started. We wrapped many gifts in pizza boxes and washed out potatoe chip bags. Some gifts we tied with string and brown bags the kids colored and painted on. We had no extra food. We gave it away to all the company. We made Christmas cards this year from old ones that everyone loved… so same for next year and we are using old cards as thank you notes to our family and freinds. We had one small bag of garbage this year, when we useually have three or four. We are very happy about that.
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December 29th, 2008 at 2:27 pm
I do many of the things already listed: reuse, reduce and recycle. My parents and I shopped for each other at the local thrift stores, white elephant sales, etc.–they can use the money. The salvation army also donates unsold textiles, including stained and torn items to rag makers.
Additionally, i save all holiday cards and use them the following year for gift tags (cutting the picture out, etc.)
My evergreen swags, trees, etc. get cut up and used as shelters from ice/heavy snow for my perennial shrubs.
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December 29th, 2008 at 4:53 pm
We purchased gift cards this year so we wouldn’t have any waste. The few gifts we did give, went into nice bags so they could be reused. The gifts I asked for were for people to donate money to homeless shelters to help others. I have been trying to promote “less is more” to my family.
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December 29th, 2008 at 6:02 pm
incineration with proper controls gererationg electricity ect methane gas by product hydogen gas fuel cells tech is here old tires in Ca OIL IN TEXAS UNTAPPED
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December 29th, 2008 at 6:04 pm
Well I segregate cans,bottles,plastic bottles,news papersand empty boxes then sell it to the junk shop then donate the money to church.I bury my decomposting garbage to my garden to serve as fertilizer.
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December 29th, 2008 at 6:07 pm
a volcano eruption will pollute the atmosphere for 100000 years where man may do it in a billion years do the math
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December 29th, 2008 at 6:30 pm
We don’t have any extra trash. The few gifts that are wrapped are put in our own holiday bags, reused from year to year, a family tradition like the stockings we made years ago. We compost the smallest parts of the greenery, and use larger branches and trunks for garden stakes and trellises. As to packaging from stores, I remove some packaging upon leaving the store–if no trash bin by the entrance and exit, I’ll ask an employee to dispose of it for me. This may send a message to manufacturers if enough people do it, but in any case we have a right to inspect the merchandise closely enough to make sure we don’t have to make another trip to return it.
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December 29th, 2008 at 8:53 pm
I am going to send my holiday trash to a plasma incinerator because this incinerator heats trash so hot that it breaks it down into basic elements and is over 99% efficient in destroying any pollutants. Most of you that have been taught science by coaches or certificated public school teachers may not have heard of this process. It basically does away with landfills and pollution of any kind and as a bi-product the water used to cool this incinerator can be used as steam to produce electricity. Garbage to electricity and no pollution. Why has the green people not told us about this?
Think for yourself,
Jimmy McCurry-Fighting Texas Aggie Class of 1978
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December 29th, 2008 at 11:46 pm
Well, to start off with I do not use a Christmas Tree. I am waiting until I have my own property where I can grow an evergreen in the front yard and decorate that each year. My child and I have decided that we might like the migratory birds such a tree would attract and we could set up a camera trap for the birds to take pictures during the season. Also, any jars or aluminum cans that are used during holiday cooking, etc we wash and save for crafts. We also save wrapping paper and tissue paper either to reuse or for crafts and we always reuse the gift bags. The boxes are broken down and sent to the nearest recycling center to be recycled and reused. We always eat leftovers, and when the leftovers just aren’t doing it for us, we use them to feed Fiona and Benny, our two dogs that like the eat just about anything. I do have a question, however, what DO we do with dead batteries??? What is the best solution? I know to buy rechargeable and environmentally friendly batteries, but as far as the old dead batteries, I’m not 100% sure about how to deal with them in an environmental fashion, so any tips would be handy. Oh yes, and those plastic containers for like Silk Yogurt or Smart Balance or Toffuti are all reuseable as tupperware containers.
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December 30th, 2008 at 2:04 am
I have been recycling batteries for several years. California mandates the recycling of batteries. I have an artificial tree, so I re-use it year after years, working on 5 years now. I have continued to expand the recycling program at work by adding (9) additional bottles and can recycling containers. If you live in California log onto bottlesandcans.com and get a free starter kit and literature/poster to promote recycling. CA also mandates the recycling of electronic waste. The schools all have roll off dumpsters for recycling paper and cardboard. Hazardous materials must be taken to a recycling center. The city also picks up recyclables and there is a recycling center in every town to sell back your glass, plastic and cans. The city picks up trees for composting. There are lots of things each of us can do to reduce our footprint on our planet.
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December 30th, 2008 at 4:46 am
For years I have been doing many of the things listed by others on this blog. I recycle, reuse, and reduce absolutely everything possible, from the wrappings, boxes, and cards to trees and tree trimmings. I worked hard to make it a “natural” holiday season with my “green” endeavors. My adult children are following in my footsteps, evident from my visits to their homes over the past few weeks. One of my daughters donated food and clothing to local charities in lieu of the buying frenzies of the past, thereby saving fuel, and plastic/paper from going to the dump by those who do not recycle. She informed others beforehand of her intentions to instead give the gift that she would have given them to those in need. She has invited her siblings and me and her friends to join her next year.
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December 30th, 2008 at 8:14 am
My husband and I don’t buy much for each other but do for Toys for Tots and folks from church. So our personal trash level remains the same. We compost and save bags for next year. I add our cards to the ones at work that we donate to different organizations. Leftovers are always distributed and gobbled up over the week either by people or pets. Let’s look forward to a new year where everyone tries to do their part like everyone on this blog are already doing. Thanks everyone.
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December 30th, 2008 at 8:23 am
We too do many of the things mentioned above including using (and reusing) gift bags, saving and reusing paper, bows, ribbons and gift tags, and recycling cardboard, plastic, and the paper that we can’t reuse. We also minimize wrapping if the item is large. Our Christmas tree gets added to our winter backyard brush pile that provides shelter for the birds.
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December 30th, 2008 at 9:33 am
We always have used rechargeable batteries, and when my car battery just died, it too got recycled. My tree was fresh cut so lasts longer and will be used for an outside tree with popcorn garlands and peanut butter suet balls for the birds. Our leftovers, what little there are, go into brown paper bags with our coffee grinds and into the garden for later composting. Any food that is animal friendly goes to the woods (but in different locations each time so they don’t become dependent).
When my tree finally loses its needles, it will be used upstream of a creek to keep the dirt road from impacting the water quality.
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December 30th, 2008 at 10:03 am
Wrapping Paper:
We’ve become more cost conscious with this each year. All bows and ribbons are re-used year to year. Wrapping paper is re-used each year until no longer usable and then recycled. We have tried to reduce the amount of cardboard and packaging in the gifts we purchase and make sure we remove that in advance and get it into the recycle bins before Christmas day.
Batteries:
We’ve switched to rechargeable batteries about 20 years ago and keep recharging them. Replacements are needed every few years and the spent batteries are sent to the HHW roundups.
Foods:
We really are quite good at eliminating waste from the table. Scraps that don’t make it onto a plate go to the compost pile.
Tree:
We’ve had an artificial tree for many years primarily due to the fire risks when our children were small and realized the cost savings later after a few years cost avoidance.
Exterior Lights:
We probably won’t switch lights to lower cost energy efficient for many more years mainly due to the cost.
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December 30th, 2008 at 10:22 am
Holiday waste is a huge issue that rarely gets enough attention. Holiday waste also includes the excessive newspaper adds that begin around Thanksgiving and usually run through the New Year’s Holiday.
All anyone can do is recycle, recycle, recycle! Most all holiday waste is recyclable. Recycling takes a committed effort from the consumer and the local, state and federal levels. Recycling begins with the consumer. Just take a few minutes a week and sort you trash.
Place a recycle container next to the trash can, I do. I personally recycle approximately 70% of my weekly trash load. It does not lower my monthly trash bill, but I have some peace of mind that I have contributed.
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December 30th, 2008 at 10:52 am
Everyone has such great ideas. We really focused on waste reduction this year through using creative wrapping that was not disposable or part of the gift, reusing cards for gift tags, etc. Everything we could compost or recycle we did. This way the natural resources are not sitting in a landfill or no longer usable due to incineration.
To save energy we encouraged carpooling as much as possible. We also only turned on holiday lights (both inside and outside) when we were “using” them. For example, we only left our outside lights on when we were entertaining and for a few hours each night around the holiday, as opposed to the day they went up.
I think the biggest commonality between a lot of the posts here is that the best way to handle holiday waste is to plan for it. With a little thinking ahead it is very easy to reduce the amount of waste we generate and purchase things with less packaging and things that are recyclable.
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December 30th, 2008 at 12:51 pm
Well, first, I intend to run 20 miles a week. Then I’ll bike an extra 50 miles a week. Finally, I’m going to spend at least one hour a day in the weight room..
Oh…… you said “waste!” :)
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December 30th, 2008 at 2:03 pm
I am blessed to live in a community that, 25 years ago, had the foresight to implement a waste-to-energy (WTE) program. All my solid waste goes into the can at the curb, is picked up by normal waste haulers, and transported directly to the WTE plant, where it is incinerated; the heat of incineration makes steam that spins a turbine generator. When I turn on my lights I reap the rewards of this process; recycling in its purest, most cost effective and environmentally sound sense…no source separation, emission-spewing multiple curb pickups, and recycled material processes, transportation, and marketability issues to deal with.
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arty reply on January 1, 2009 3:13 pm:
OH. I guess no smoke comes out of the smokestack when they run those steam generators, huh?
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December 30th, 2008 at 5:59 pm
Well I first want to believe in our justice system, to see if one of the biggest contributors towards toxic waste pollution will be served justice.
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December 30th, 2008 at 7:26 pm
I am happy to report that this Christmas I was able to do ALL my Christmas shopping without taking a plastic or paper bag from the store. I always carried my own cloth bags and asked the clerks to please put the things I bought and the receipt in the bag. I have been doing this for a number of years with groceries, but this year I was able to do it for clothing, shoes and toys (all gifts that would normally go in a bag). I also did not buy any Christmas wrapping as I was able to use what was left over from last year. Gift bags are great because they are reusable. Also, where appropriate, I donated money to Heifer Corporation, instead of giving co-workers token gifts that they don’t need.
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December 31st, 2008 at 2:21 pm
We bought no tree. We reused our small artificial tree. We bought no gifts. We made gifts (family liked it better). We will reuse our Christmas cards, reusing them with our card making kit. We even make our own envelops, it’s so easy and fun. We recycled all kinds of things and made wonderful gifts. Now our family wants to join us and make this a FAMILY tradition. Nothing is thrown away because there is always something you can do with it: Old wrapping paper used for packing, old boxes reused for shipping, old ribbon cut and reused for card making, old glassware reused for food gift baskets. We even used pine cones and other natural resources we picked up around our house and made wreath center pieces with hurricane glass and candles.
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December 31st, 2008 at 11:27 pm
(1) Avoid creating trash wherever possible: when ordering food, i will avoid receiving any unnecessary plastic utensils,
(2) Buy ice creams in a cone instead of a cup.
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January 1st, 2009 at 12:53 am
first of all seperate all plastics, metal cans everythimg that is non-biodigradable,if possible dump in recycle dustbins,all green wastes or biodigradables use for composting type treatment,if food is leftover, fed to beggers,animals, or to needfull peoples, Also clean lawns, trees or surroundings as it was before,all wet wastes to be drain properly in gutters,
I advice to all cummunities peoples that please stop using plastics,thermocols, or avoid to buy all thing that are non biodigradble, we are forcing very slowly towards self destruction, by letting to accumulate these things in nature.
SAVE OUR PLANET, MAKE IT LEAVEBLE.
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January 1st, 2009 at 1:50 pm
I save the cards we recieve and use them for next years tags or ornaments.
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January 1st, 2009 at 3:11 pm
No recycling. the Obama recession put me out of work so there was the artificial tree and no presents means no wrapping waste. I can’t wait until cap and trade destroys what is left of the economy because then my children and grandchildren wont be able to work either. I always wanted them to have a life of leisure. CO2 and cap and trade will ensure that.
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January 2nd, 2009 at 9:43 am
The starting point is to minimize waste creation in the first place. I start by giving donations to non-profits/charitables in the name of the intended gift recipient. Most of my friends really appreciate that approach and there is really no waste. I encourage this among my friends as well. For those who insist on material gifts, I ask that they use recycled materials. Thereafter I participate in San Francisco’s recycling program and composting program. Xmas trees, while compostable, are not taken. However, there is a program where trees are taken to Golden Gate Park to be chipped and used for cover - VERY green.
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January 4th, 2009 at 5:47 pm
We could build a recycling as a patriotic activity. We could build patriotism & pride. Every American, man, woman, child and grandmothers in nursing homes, could participate to conserve energy, natural resources and to provide jobs for many levels of workers. It seems America should be building processing and manufacturing plants for recycled goods. What percentage of Americans have access to any recycling service? currently recycling is at a standstill because of the economy.
Will we miss this opportunity too???
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January 5th, 2009 at 8:44 am
As with everyday, I put all biodegradables into my cardboard box for the next garbage collection. Anything that is NOT biodegradable or eventually be toxic I try to put into my recycling box. I am stuck with a few things including my hearing aid batteries which are small, but multiply rather quickly. There still seems to be no solution as to what to do with them.
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Linda reply on January 5, 2009 10:19 am:
You might check with your local Home Depot or Lowes store; most if not all of them will accept batteries for recycling.
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January 7th, 2009 at 5:48 pm
You can check your with your nature center and see if they want your dead christmas tree. When I was in elementery school we got to make shelters out of christmas trees; it was alot of fun. You can also recycle that wrapping paper! If you really try you can recycle just about everything you don’t want anymore.
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