Create new waste-free holiday traditions

As we gather together to spend quality time with family and friends, keep in mind how you might be able to cut down on a little waste that is generated during the season. Americans will spend hundreds of dollars this holiday season. That's a lot of goods being replaced each year. Save money and reduce waste by choosing sustainable gifts this season!

Here are some tips that emphasize the "reduce, reuse, recycle" mantra, and may help create new traditions and lasting memories:

Reduce 

• Gift experiences, time or talents as gifts. Gift cards to favorite restaurants, spa or salon. Tickets to a sporting event, musical or comedy show. Try making certificates for services you can provide, such as dog walking or yard work.
  
• Think durable when selecting gifts. The longer an item lasts, the less often it will need to be replaced.
• Suggest a Secret Santa gift exchange. Cut down on the number of individual gifts that you purchase this year by setting up a Secret Santa gift exchange between family and friends, rather than buying for everyone.
• Consider purchasing a living potted tree. Select a non-traditional Christmas tree alternative that you can plant in your yard afterwards or keep indoors. Visit your local nursery and ask for suggestions, such as a Norfolk Island pine. 
• Make a charitable donation on behalf of a loved one.

Reuse 

• Wrap gifts in a gift. Learn the art of furoshiki, the traditional technique for gift-wrapping, by using a square of thin fabric like a large handkerchief, scarf, an old t-shirt or bandanna.
• Shop second-hand. Support local businesses and keep usable goods such as clothing, books, toys and more out of the landfill.

Recycle 

The following items CANNOT be placed in curbside recycle carts. 

Find drop-off locations and disposal information in the RecycleRight app, available on Apple and Android devices, and RecyclingA-Z.com.

• String Lights. When string lights are placed in the curbside recycle cart, they get stuck on the sorting line and cause the machinery to jam, resulting in costly repairs. Place string lights in the garbage, or  search for special recycling locations using the App or Directory. 
• Batteries. Batteries that end up in household garbage or inside of recycle carts can explode and pose a significant fire risk. Luckily, there are now several safe Battery Drop-Off sites throughout Clark County. These convenient locations accept a variety of batteries from Clark County households, including cell phones and rechargeable batteries, which often pose the biggest safety risk.
• Electronics. Electronic products contain valuable materials that can be recycled and toxic chemicals that should be kept out of the landfill.  
• Block Foam. Never place block foam in your curbside recycle cart. During the transportation and sorting process the foam easily breaks apart and creates challenges at the sorting facility. Place foam in the garbage, or search for special recycling locations using the App or Directory. 
• Air Pillows and Bubble Wrap. These items cannot go in your curbside recycle cart. These items can only be recycled when taken to a plastic film collection location, otherwise they go in the garbage. 
• Natural Christmas Trees. Skip the flocked snow to be able to compost in your curbside organics or yard debris cart. Before recycling a natural tree, all lights, tinsel, wire, ornaments and stands must be removed. Scouting America will collect trees for recycling in many areas of Clark County on Saturday, Jan. 4. The website has information about neighborhoods with pickup service and contact information.
• Food Scraps. Composting food scraps prevents bad odors and messes in kitchen garbage, returns beneficial nutrients to the soil, replaces the use of synthetic fertilizers, and reduces greenhouse gas emissions.
  • • Compost at the curb: Waste Connections customers in the cities of Vancouver and Ridgefield who have curbside organics service can put food scraps into their carts. 
    • Compost drop-offs: All residents can drop off food waste for free at a We Compost Community Hub location. Find locations on the We Compost Community Hubs webpage.