|
December 1, 2005
REDUCE HOLIDAY TRASH LOADS! KEEP RECYCLING IN MIND FOR DECEMBER
ODNR offers tips for recycling and reusing by-products of the holiday season
 COLUMBUS, OH - Ohioans and other Americans traditionally put 25 percent more trash at their curbs in the weeks between Thanksgiving and New Year’s - mostly wrapping paper, ribbons, party decorations and mail-order catalogs. Overall, Americans generate about 1,000,000 extra tons of trash per week during that same time period, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.
Here are some tips for lightening the trash collector’s load in coming weeks:
Use gift bags instead of wrapping paper. Cheery holiday gift bags are increasingly popular, and best of all, they can be used over and over again if folded and stored from season to season. If wrapping paper must be used, look for the “recycled content” label on the package. Avoid the use of foil wrapping paper, which cannot be recycled.
Take your own tote when shopping. Take a cloth tote bag when shopping for the holidays to avoid bringing home an armload of plastic or paper sacks.
Reuse Christmas cards as holiday postcards. Cut the fronts off this year’s holiday greeting cards to reuse as holiday “postcards” next season. Postcards take up less room in mailbags and are far less expensive to mail. If traditional cards are preferred, buy ones labeled “recycled content.”
Recycled cards may be purchased in packs of 10 (with envelopes) for a suggested donation of $8 from St. Jude’s Ranch for Children in Boulder City, Nevada. Call toll free 1-800-492-3562 for information or to place an order.
Remove your name from unwanted catalog lists. The average American home receives more than 200 mail-order catalogs each year. Most of these catalogs arrive just before the holidays. Call the toll-free number listed in the catalogs to ask that your name be removed from mailing lists or visit the website of the Direct Marketing Association at www.the-dma.org for information on removing your name from all third-class mailing lists.
|