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• Use decorative reusable boxes and bags for gift giving instead of wrapping paper, or wrap gifts in the comics, old calendars or fabric.
• Reuse ribbons, bows and decorative wrappings from the gifts you receive.
• Choose durable home decorations and use them year after year.
• Plan meal portions wisely to reduce food waste and expense. Put leftovers in reusable containers to send home with guests or save for later.
• Choose rechargeable batteries.
• Don’t take a store bag if there’s room in one you’re already carrying.
• Shop resale and consignment stores, and donate used clothing and household goods for someone else’s use.
• Send holiday greetings on postcards or by e-mail to reduce paper waste and cut postage costs.
• Buy film in rolls of 36 instead of 12 to reduce packaging waste and save money (save $9 on film and processing every time you buy a roll of 36!).
• Use reusable plates, cups, silverware and napkins instead of disposables.
• Give a waste-reducing gift, like a reusable mug, a canvas shopping bag, or a set of cloth napkins. Consider upgrades or add-ons instead of replacements for electronics and other equipment.
  

Holiday Waste Reduction Links:

• Use Less Stuff – “42 Ways to Trim Your Holiday Wasteline”
• Professional Recyclers of Pennsylvania – “Holiday Waste Reduction & Recycling”
• California Integrated Waste Management Board –“Deck the Halls with Less Waste This Year!”
• Center for a New American Dream – “Holiday Survival Kit”
• State of Minnesota –“No-Waste Holiday Ideas”