The holiday season is a time where our garbage increases dramatically. The following are some ideas to make this holiday season easier on the environment.

Parties

• Use reusable dishes, glassware, silverware and napkins for entertaining rather than disposable ones.
• For formal affairs, consider buying clothing from consignment shops.
• Give leftovers to guests, freeze for another time or compost.
• Turn heat down - guests will warm up the room naturally.

• Wrap presents in the Sunday comics or colorful magazine pages.
• Purchase recycled wrapping paper.
• Package gifts in previously used holiday tins, gift bags, wrapping paper, baskets or boxes.
• Make gift tags with cards from last year or other holiday scraps.
• Postmasters report that up to 20% of all mail is incorrectly addressed - double check your list!
• Send email holiday wishes.
• Avoid cards with laminated, foil-stamped or metallic inks - look for cards printed with soy-based ink.
• Avoid glitzy foil-lined envelopes - they cannot be recycled.
• Look for a high post-consumer waste content for recycled paper cards (100% if possible).

Gift Giving Ideas

• Plan ahead. Making a list and checking it twice will save time, money and last-minute shopping frenzies.
• Give gifts of the "heart" with your time or talents. Offer to babysit, wash the car, do house chores, run errands, make a "trash to treasure" gift from odds and ends, give baked goodies, etc., or make a charitable donation in a loved ones memory.
• Keep it simple - less can be more. Think carefully about what gifts friends and family really need and want.
• One thoughtful gift may be better than six wrapped packages of unwanted gifts.
• Start a savings account or give a savings bond for children. It is fun to watch the money grow and it teaches children the value of fiscal conservation.
• Shop for gifts at an antique store, estate sale or a flea market.
• Give waste-less gifts such as tickets to concerts or sporting events, gift certificates or house plants.
• Give durable products that will last.
• Give rechargeable batteries with toys.
• Bring your own bag to the store when shopping.
• Take a look around your home and see what you can donate to charities. An unopened gift from last year, clothes the kids have outgrown or a monetary gift will help someone else in need.
• Give gifts with the environment in mind. Visit SWANCC's Eco-Friendly Marketplace for great gift ideas made from a wide variety of materials. There is something for everyone.

Holiday Lights

• Recycle your broken lights and cords with SWANCC's Holiday Light Recycling Program.