ReUse that Packaging
'Tis the season for tons of packages! Don't throw out the packing materials, though. We accept used bubble wrap, peanuts, and air pillows at our ARCC - additional recyclables collection center at 3 Williams Lane, Barre; open Mondays and Fridays 12:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
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More Zero Waste Holiday Tips
The holidays provide a time that can be both challenging and creative for people committed to cutting down on waste. We love this Zero Waste Holiday guide created by the Reuse Alliance, filled with ideas from gifts to wrapping to decorations. Here's a sample; click on the link below to see the whole thing.
Rethink Your Gifting
In terms of holiday giving, I recommend that you give gifts that have a lasting impression, help reduce waste, and ideally support local businesses. I personally love to receive "experience" gifts (massages, concert tickets, tea for two). But what about for people who are more into "things"?
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After the Holiday - What to do with the Christmas Tree?
The ornaments are packed and the needles have been vacuumed, but what to do with the tree? Some Central Vermont towns have a stump dump, where they take Christmas trees. Call your local town or city clerk for the particulars. If that's not an option for you, try the following:
Bring your tree to a local Boy Scout troop.
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Zero Waste Tip: Wrapping Paper is Recyclable!
Of course, re-use it first, but if it can't be saved for another gift, just put it in your regular recycling bin.
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Zero Waste Holiday Craft
Magazine Beads
This super easy craft upcycles old magazines into sweet gifts; it's perfect for children who want to make a gift for someone special in their lives.
Supplies: old magazines, scissors, glue, toothpick, string (for stringing beads).
Instructions:
Cut magazine pages into long triangular strips. Roll the wide end of the triangle around a tooth pick; when about an inch of the triangle tip remains, swipe with glue stick, and finish rolling. Pull out the tooth pick - and your bead is finished. String into necklace or bracelet when a couple dozen are completed.
 | Step 1: gather supplies - magazines, scissors, glue stick, toothpick.
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 | Step 2: cut pages into long triangular strips
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 | Step 3: roll from the wide end around a tooth pick. When you get to the final inch of the triangle, add some glue to hold it in place.
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 | Completed bead right before pulling out the tooth pick.
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 | It's easy to quickly make enough to make plenty of necklaces.
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 | Voila! A meaningful gift made out of reused materials.
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Have a safe, happy, Zero Waste holiday season! Send us your own tips and ideas at: comments@cvswmd.org or post them on our Facebook Page.
Sincerely,
All of us at the Central Vermont Solid Waste Management District
Zero Waste Central
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