I saw this Infographic on Christmas Waste and quite frankly was appalled. When I do gifts, they are in recycled cereal boxes, and normally do checks or this year in lieu of check, I gave to Hurricane Sandy.. My Christmas Tree is an up-cycled beach trash, Christmas cards are online and all Christmas cards are saved to reuse again. I believe in re-gifting and believe that wasteful spending just because it’s Christmas is just what it is, wasteful spending.
I Just Gotta Eco Ya
- Americans throw away 25% more trash during the Thanksgiving to New Year’s holiday period than any other time of year. The extra waste equals 25 million tons of garbage, or about 1 million extra tons per week!
- If every family reused just two feet of holiday ribbon, the 38,000 miles of ribbon saved could tie a bow around the entire planet.
- If every American family wrapped just 3 presents in re-used materials, it would save enough paper to cover 45,000 football fields.
- The 2.65 billion Christmas cards sold each year in the U.S. could fill a football field 10 stories high. If we each sent one card less, we’d save 50,000 cubic yards of paper
But enough about me…. You too can have a Green and Eco Friendly Christmas.. The key is to take care to recycled as much as possible when all is said and done.
For More Ideas on Upcycling and Reusing Christmas Stuff- Check out our Pinterest Board for all sorts of nifty and thrifty ideas.
Christmas Trees
- Many cities offer Christmas Tree Recycling- Take advantage of that if you can.
- You can Reuse for mulch or compost- Christmas tree needles can also be used to restore balance in a compost heap – they’re rather acid so balance out alkaline things, like wood ash.
- Strip the needles from their branches and use as naturally pine scented pot pourri or to stuff pin cushions.
- Pine leaves can be reused for tea, medicine and food. (just google it. )
Christmas Lights
Many cities are offering to recyled old Christmas Tree lights. Take advantage of that. Lights do not belong in the trash.. they contain cadium, mercury and other toxic substances, which leak into our water. There are many ways you can reuse Old Christmas Lights. You can always save the old and reuse for crafts next year.
Christmas Ornaments
- Thousands of Christmas ornaments end up in the trash. They can be donated or even remade by a little paper and glue.
Christmas Wrapping Paper
- Can be reused again. Re-roll on cardboard tubes or re-fold and pack away.
- Shred to make for mulch or packing supplies
- Reuse (like newspapers) to wash windows
- Can be put in recycled bin.
- Ribbons and bows can be reused again
Christmas Cards
- They can be put in the recycle bin
- Reuse for next year
- Make Crafts
Electronics and Batteries
- Make sure you recycled old electronics and batteries are recycled. If you can.. try to have a battery-less Christmas (like that is going to happen!)
Bottom line- Try to reduce and recycled as much as you can and Have A Very Merry Christma.
