When you’re making your holiday to-do list, be sure to add reduce, reuse and recycle! There are many great ways to practice the three Rs — from Halloween to New Year’s Eve.

Decorating

• Shop thrift stores or online for pre-owned décor you want; donate or sell what you don’t.
• Take good care of your decorations so that they will last many years.
• Make handmade decorations that are re-useable, recyclable or compostable.

Cards and Invitations

• Purchase cards made from recycled content.
• Make handmade, recyclable cards.
• Send electronic invitations and cards.
• Donate used cards.

Costumes

• Make your own costume from secondhand clothes or items you already have around the house.
• Skip the chemical-laden face paint (which can be disposed of safely through your local HHW program). Instead, make your own safe, planet-friendly makeup.

Gifts

• Shop at thrift stores or online to find a unique used gift.
• Give an experience! Try gift cards for food and entertainment, tickets to a show, or memberships to a museum or zoo.
• Make a donation in someone’s name.

Gift Wrap

• Use recyclable wrapping such as old posters, maps, paper grocery bags or the funny papers.
• Wrap with attractive cloth, fabric ribbons or a reusable bag.
• Use last year’s boxes, tissue paper, bows and ribbons.

Gatherings

• Use durable tableware: dishes, cups, utensils, napkins, tablecloths, etc.
• Recycle cans and bottles.
• Compost food waste.

Clean Up

• Compost your pumpkins, gourds and poinsettias. You can also keep poinsettias as houseplants (they’ll bloom year after year).
•  “Treecycle” your holiday tree, wreaths and garland (natural only).
• Recycle your old or broken holiday lights.
• Recycle packaging and cards.
• Save boxes, tissue paper, bows and ribbons for next year.
• Donate gently used items to charities or thrift stores.

For more information, visit RecycleSpot.org or call 816-474-8326.