Recycle Utah

Nonprofit Summit County, Utah Recycling Center

#holidays

A Sustainable Holiday Season

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The holiday season is a time for joy, laughter, and memories. However, the holiday season can be one of the most wasteful times… Americans throw away 25% more trash during the Thanksgiving to New Year’s holiday period than any other time of year. According to a Stanford study, this extra waste “amounts to 25 million tons of garbage or about 1 million extra tons per week.” There are a few things we can do to help bring this number down for the upcoming holiday season. 

You can’t have a great holiday feast without doing the grocery shopping for it. When shopping, however, it is important to use reusable bags. If you do end up using plastic bags, they do not belong in your curbside bin. You can bring them to Recycle Utah.

The holiday season is also a time when many are upgrading their electronics, such as phones, TV, appliances, and more. It is important not to throw outdated devices into the trash; they contain toxic substances such as lead and mercury that can harm surrounding environments, wildlife, and even humans if left to degrade in landfills. Rather, bring them to a local recycler who accepts them, such as Recycle Utah! They have a list of acceptable electronic items on their website. 

Overall, sustainability during the holiday season is incredibly important. Considering about 80 percent of what is thrown away during the holidays can be recycled or repurposed, sustainable practices should be on everybody’s mind. 

By Pearson Ehrich

Sustainable Holiday Planning

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The holidays are upon us and being green can require foresight. Americans throw away 25% more trash and 33% more food between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day. Read on for tips to keep your sustainability in check this holiday season:

  1. Gifts: Support our local economy, less packaging and a lower carbon footprint by buying local verses online. Buy local gift cards and experiences at favorite restaurants, movies or spas. Bake, knit, frame photos, make jewelry or fun playlists. Shop at thrift stores.
  2. Gift Wrap: Use old comics, maps or reusable fabrics for a fun twist. Save bows, ribbons and gift boxes for next year.
  3. Energy: Use only LED holiday lights inside and out for energy efficiency, financial savings and also to generate less heat on trees and garland. And, recycle old electronics.
  4. Transportation: Errands galore! Try to hit as many stops as possible in one trip rather than a few every day. Try the bus – make a NO CAR pledge day. Be smart and organized, and don’t forget the cloth reusable bags!
  5. Tree: Buy sensibly. Many lot-filled trees have been sprayed so ask questions. Obtain a permit to cut a tree or buy a new houseplant to decorate. Fake trees are okay if you can commit to storing and using it for 20+ years. Lastly, always compost your tree through the local program at a community drop-off. 

This holiday – and beyond – have a closer look at what you buy for yourself and others. Like dominoes, our day-to-day efforts will start to spiral towards a positive result if we all partake.

By Mary Closser