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.