Going Green Tips

Make it an Earth-Friendly Holiday Season!Going Green

From Thanksgiving to New Year's Day household waste increases more than 25 percent, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Make it a green holiday season, and think before you shop, wrap, decorate and throw parties to reduce St. Lucie County's waste stream.

That's a Wrap

  • Gift wrapping comprises much of the increased waste during the holiday season. Instead, you can use newspaper, maps, posters, coloring book pages, or fabric remnants you may have lying around the house. If purchasing wrapping paper, buy recycled paper, and avoid the foil or metallic kind, as it is not recyclable.
  • Instead of purchasing boxes and gift bags that are used once, try to get creative and use things like baskets, old tins, hat boxes, cloth bags, or brown paper bags you decorate yourself by painting, drawing or stamping designs.
  • You can use scarves or bandanas as tissue paper, or buy some beautiful wash clothes or towels and make them part of the gift for ribbon, use yarn or twine, or make your own ribbon from nature, using dried vines or slivers of a palm frond. Decorate your package with leaves or flowers you find in your garden or make your own bows from newspaper or construction paper.
  • Save the front of all your holiday cards each year, and use them as your gift tags.

Gifts for a Good Earth

  • Consider useful gifts that will not end up in the attic or in the back closet by creating family and friend wish lists.
  • Give gifts that benefit the environment, like fair trade goods, a compost bin, a bird feeder, a membership to an environmental organization, or items made from recycled materials, organic cotton, sustainably grown and harvested resources, etc. And include a card that highlights what is special about your gift, so you pass on the knowledge as well.
  • Consider gifts without packaging such as certificates for massages or a day of sailing or fly fishing lessons. Or make your own gift certificate for a special dinner, pet sitting, house cleaning, gardening, or any other gift of time or talent you have to offer. These are the gifts that are remembered and keep on giving!
  • If giving electronics, consider buying rechargeable batteries and a charger to add to the gift. Rechargeable batteries can last hundreds of hours longer than single use batteries.

Trimming the Tree

  • Choose LED lights for the tree and keep the lights on only when you're there to enjoy them.
  • Trees can be recycled to create mulch by placing them roadside ... just be sure to remove all the tinsel, garland and any other foreign objects (consider using less tinsel or an alternative to save yourself time later).

Thoughtful Feasting

  • Don't throw that food away, instead have some extra plastic containers and send leftovers home with guests or donate to a local food bank.
  • Avoid paper plates, plastic cups and especially Styrofoam disposables, by using washable plates and linens for your holiday parties and meals.
  • Recycle extra aluminum foil and cans that come with holiday feasts.

The Party's Over

  • After all the presents are opened, consider passing on old toys, electronics, clothes and other items to non-profit resale stores, or use E-bay, Freecycle, or Craig's List to find them a new home.
  • If you're unable to pass on your cell phones or other electronics, make sure that you bring them to St. Lucie County's Recycling Facility, which takes end-of-life electronics and ensure they are recycled properly. DO NOT throw them in your regular trash.
  • Save your boxes, bows, and cards for next year and do your part to extend the life of our natural resources.
  • Be sure to collect and recycle your cardboard and wrapping paper (only the non-metallic kind). Send any packing nuts or materials to packing and mailing companies for re-use.

To see what the St. Lucie County Board of County Commissioners is doing to "Go Green," click here.