See Also

What Can Citizens Do

to Prevent Pollution?

Contact DEQ

Regional Office
Waste Management and Remediation Managers

State Office
Pollution Prevention Program

Reduce Waste and Save Money:

Pollution Prevention for the Holidays

During the holidays, more waste is generated than at any other time of the year. Due to holiday cards, wrapping paper, packaging, food, and even Christmas trees, an extra 25 million tons of waste are created during the holidays. DEQ encourages residents to reduce their waste this holiday season by following some simple suggestions that will also save money.    Explore ways to reduce the generation of waste • Use reusable canvas bags when shopping for gifts. • Reduce paper waste. Consider using materials such as fabric, reusable gift bags, or other reusable containers to wrap presents. If using traditional wrapping paper, choose a type that is made from recycled materials and that can be recycled in your community. • Cut the covers off of old greeting cards for use as gift tags. • Email your holiday letters instead of cards. • Do you receive catalogs you don’t want? Call the company’s 1-800 number and remove your name from mailing lists. Ten catalogs equal 3.5 pounds of waste! • Look for gifts with minimal packaging. • Give gift certificates, concert tickets or tickets to a local sporting event. They use less wrap material. Memberships to museums also make a great and thoughtful gift.    Recycle • After the gifts are opened, separate boxes, bows, ribbons, and packaging materials that can be reused or recycled. • Recycle your Christmas tree. Christmas trees can be chipped into mulch, composted, used to prevent soil erosion, or used to create wildlife habitat. Many communities offer tree-recycling programs. Call your city or county public works division or trash hauler for more information. • Recycle batteries. Many communities offer battery recycling through their household hazardous waste programs. Batteries often contain metals that can be harmful to the environment. Also, consider using rechargeable batteries.   Many local packaging/mailing stores accept Styrofoam peanuts for recycling. Call stores in your area to see if they offer these services.    Reduce your waste when entertaining • Buy products in bulk for your holiday parties. • If you host a party, set the table with cloth napkins and reusable dishes, glasses, and silverware. Consider renting dishes and utensils for large parties rather than using disposable items, or use disposable with recycled paper content. • Save and reuse party hats, decorations, and favors.    Think beyond recycling • Conserve energy. Install timers on your holiday lights. Purchase LED Christmas lights which use less energy and last longer than traditional bulbs. • Drive less. Take the bus to the mall or carpool with a friend. Combine multiple errands in a single trip to reduce the vehicle miles you travel. This will help reduce air pollution and save you money by reducing the amount of gas you use. • Buy a potted Christmas tree that can be planted after the holiday.