The holiday season brings a lot of joy into our homes but it can also bring a lot of extra waste.

Packaging and wrapping paper, leftover food, plastic toys that often arenB次元官网网址檛 loved for as long as they last B次元官网网址� it all adds to the local waste stream.

The good news is that it doesnB次元官网网址檛 need to.

B次元官网网址淩educing waste throughout the year is founded on the principle of the B次元官网网址�3R pollution prevention hierarchyB次元官网网址� B次元官网网址� reduce first, reuse second and recycle third B次元官网网址� and that same practice works to reduce the environmental impact of the holiday season,B次元官网网址� says Russ Smith, senior manager of the Capital Regional DistrictB次元官网网址檚 Environmental Resource Management team.

HereB次元官网网址檚 5 simple ways to create a holiday thatB次元官网网址檚 memorable in all the right ways!

1. Opt for low-waste gifts: If your gift list still needs , consider low-waste presents. Experiential gifts B次元官网网址� movie passes, family photo sessions, memberships, subscriptions, tours or classes B次元官网网址� are always a hit. If you prefer giving something that can be enjoyed right away, opt for homemade gifts like preserves and cookies, or things that last, like heirlooms, camping gear or high-quality cookware.
2. Recycle your shipping: If youB次元官网网址檙e doing a lot of your shopping online, remember that most packaging and shipping material gifts arrive in can be recycled B次元官网网址� paper envelopes go in your blue bag, hard plastic packaging is blue bin-approved and flattened cardboard up to (or cut to) 30B次元官网网址� square can be collected through the curbside program.

To recycle your bubble wrap, plastic envelopes, inflated air packets and Styrofoam blocks for free, pop into your !

Gather the kids and turn old gift bags, already-used paper and greeting cards into a reusable garland for your tree or mantel. When buying new decorations, choose pieces complement what you already have (and that youB次元官网网址檒l want to use forever).

Swap out disposable paper or plastic linens, dishes and cutlery for the real deal; use reusable containers for leftovers instead of plastic wrap and tin foil, and invite your guests to bring a reusable container to take home leftovers after the festivities!

After the party, tin containers, aluminum trays, whipped cream cans, egg nog cartons and deli trays can all be recycled in your blue bin, while paper plates and napkins can go into your green bin.

ItB次元官网网址檚 all that easy! Learn more at .