Waste Management offers tips on sustainability this holiday season

TALLAHASSEE – While the holidays beckon festivities and cheer, they also bring an abundance of waste. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Americans throw away 25 percent more trash between Thanksgiving and New Year’s as compared to any other time of the year. The extra waste produced during the holidays amounts to about one million additional tons per week.

“We can all save time and money while reducing our impact on the environment by looking for more creative, sustainable gift options and practicing “thinking green” during the holidays,” said Tricia Farace, Waste Management community relations manager – Gulf Coast Area. “Whether it’s buying products made from recycled content and organic material or avoiding using disposable items to serve food on, we can all make a positive impact in waste reduction during the holiday season.”

Waste Management’s sustainability experts are asking residents of Tallahassee to follow a few simple steps to make this holiday season greener:

• There are a plethora of products made from recycled or organic content. Look for reusable bags or fleece clothing made from recycled plastic bottles or organic cotton T-shirts. Many retailers sell these types of products in their catalogs and online.
• Consider giving no-waste gifts such as symphony or museum tickets, memberships to a gym, music or sports lessons, tickets to sporting events and concerts. Potted plants, flowers or trees as gifts provide a beautiful reminder of the holidays all throughout the year, while also providing benefits to the environment by absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen into the air.
• Not all wrapping paper is recyclable, so try earth-friendly wrapping alternatives, such as scarves, handkerchiefs, old maps, newspapers, children’s artwork and repurposed gift bags. Replace ribbons and bows with natural evergreens, berries and dried flowers.
• If you have a Christmas tree, garland or wreaths, be sure to recycle them when the holidays are over. Mulching trees after the holidays is a great alternative to disposing, and consider donating the mulch to a local school’s garden.

By making a commitment to go green, Tallahassee can use this holiday season to create new traditions that help preserve the environment for families and future generations gathered around the tree.