Green Gift-giving

Did you know Americans generate 25 % more trash during the holiday season? But you don’t have to! Christmas is right around the corner and Empire has gathered some tips for you and your family to reuse and recycle this year.

 
 
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  1. Gift Wrap

Not all gift wrap is eco-friendly. It is best to use what you already have and if needed, buy wrapping paper made from recycled materials. Some unique materials you can use to wrap gifts include cloth, brown bags, brown paper made from cut brown bags, children’s drawings, newspaper and containers.

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2. Recyclable items

  • Wrapping paper (paper only)

  • Cardboard & paper boxes

  • Paper cards, envelopes & cartons

  • Catalogs

  • Plastic bottles & containers

  • Aluminum, tin & steel cans

3. Non-Recyclable items

  • Christmas lights

  • Garland & tinsel

  • Foil wrapping paper

  • Ribbons & bows

  • Bubble wrap

  • Styrofoam

  • Batteries

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4. Other Tips

  • Check to see if there are local recycling options for your tree. Some cities have procedures in place to pick up trees the week after Christmas.

  • 24 percent of the waste Americans send to landfills is organic waste. This holiday season, try turning all those leftovers into compost!

  • Places like Home Depot and Lowe’s offer services to their customers to turn in non-functioning Christmas lights. See if this is option in your area.

  • Before trashing your used wrapping materials, consider saving them if you have the storage, for wrapping next years’ gifts.

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