The holiday season is one of the busiest times of year for us at Recycle Utah. Dropoffs reach an all-time high after Christmas, as people unload the remains of presents: boxes, wrapping paper, bows, and bags! 

Recycling is a great way to dispose of the remains of the holiday season sustainably, but the three R’s of waste management are ordered this way for a reason: first reduce, then reuse, and finally recycle. Come by after all your holiday activities this year to drop off packaging, food waste, or any other items we accept. But first, here are some sustainable holiday tips to keep in mind so you produce less waste this year! 

Reduce. Be mindful of what you buy! One thoughtful present goes further than 10 unwanted ones. When purchasing gifts or stocking stuffers, look for items friends or family will use, value, and appreciate for a long time.

Look into making gifts yourself, rather than buying them. Every year, I make every member of my family a hand-knit gift. What started as a badly knitted hat has turned into one of my favorite traditions of the holiday season! When thinking about what your friends and family might want, think about whether it is feasible for you to make that present yourself–you might find that more often than not, you are the very capable crafter of their dream gift! 

Reuse. Consider how you wrap your gifts. Americans produce about 25% more waste during the holidays, most of which comes from wrapping materials or cards. This year, think about getting creative with wrapping materials! A brown paper bag or newspaper works great as wrapping paper, and you can decorate it yourself to add a personal touch. Scarves, old blankets, or dish towels can also work great, and when you’re done, they can go right back to their original use! 

Save used wrapping materials for next year! It’s easy to unwrap presents without destroying wrapping paper. Collect materials that don’t need to be discarded and keep them. They could come in handy for birthdays and anniversaries.

There are lots of ways to be more environmentally considerate this holiday season! Get creative, and think about the hierarchy of the three R’s: Reduce, Reuse, and then Recycle! After you’ve reduced and reused this holiday season, come stop by Recycle Utah. We’re always here when you get to that last R! 

By Mia Moore