Barbara Lucks, from the City of Springfield's Public Works Department, circulated a number of eco-friendly holiday tips. For more information, visit the City's recycling Web site.
Here's a great giving tip: If you are replacing old, used items with new ones (clothes and usable household items), donate the used items to local charities.
As you wrap your gifts, keep these helpful tips in mind:
Reduce and reuse wrapping
- Make the wrapping a part of the gift; for example, wrap a kitchen utensil in a new kitchen towel.
- When shopping, consolidate purchases into one big bag, rather than getting a new bag at each stop.
- Decorate brown paper sacks as wrap using rubber stamps, recycled Christmas cards or drawings.
- Consider using paper that can easily be recycled, such as old comic sections, old maps and children's art work.
- Save gift bags, boxes, bows and ribbons for reuse next year.
Recycle wrapping and packing materials
- Paperboard (examples: wrapping paper rolls and cardboard) are easily recycled at the City of Springfield's Recycling Centers. Christmas gift wrap is also accepted (no plastic and no foil). Call the Recycling Hotline (864-1904) or visit the City's Web site for locations and hours of operation.
- Styrofoam packing peanuts can be recycled in several locations in Springfield. Call the City's Recycling Hotline (864-1904) or visit the Web sitefor more information.
Visit FOZblog again soon for more green holiday tips coming in the next few days!
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