JEFFERSON CITY, MO, Nov. 22, 2021 - It’s beginning to look a lot like the holiday season. Americans typically generate the largest amount of waste between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day. As you plan your holiday events and gatherings, remember to add a bit of green to your party theme. The Missouri Department of Natural Resources shares some tips to maximize your holiday cheer while also being environmentally friendly.
- Channel your inner elf. When it comes to gift giving, consider homemade. You can reuse glass jars by creating homemade snow globes or filling them with cookie and cake mixes.
- Wrap your gifts in a way that would make the Grinch’s heart grow. Use maps, posters or comics from your newspaper to decorate gifts. You can also use decorative tins or boxes instead of throwaway wrapping materials.
- Have an extra-green Christmas tree. Instead of choosing a cut Christmas tree, opt for a potted tree that can be replanted outside after the holidays. If you want a cut tree, consider buying from a local tree farm. Shopping locally means fewer miles, fewer emissions and a healthier environment. Choose LED lights, which have a longer life span and use less energy than regular lights, and use a timer that automatically turns lights off and on.
- Clean up in a jingle! Plan ahead and only cook what you need, but if you do have food waste, compost as much as possible and recycle as much trash as you can. Save wrapping paper and bags for use on next year’s gifts. If you bought a cut tree it can be chipped and used for mulch, but it can also be turned into a habitat for fish or other wildlife.
With just a little creativity and planning, you can help alleviate unnecessary waste in our landfills and sleigh at your next holiday party.
For more information on recycling, reuse and composting, contact the department's Waste Management Program at 800-361-4827 or 573-751-5401, or visit our website at dnr.mo.gov/document-search/green-tips-seasons-holidays-pub2993/pub2993.