Happy Green Holidays!
Keep the Sierra Green!
Shopping green, recycling and holiday green actions
According to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) the average American throws away 25% more ‘stuff’ between Thanksgiving and the New Year! This article intends to help you “go green” this holiday season with creative gift giving ideas, information on local recycling opportunities, holiday trash and recycling services changes and how to recycle your Christmas tree after the holiday season ends.
Shop Green
You can support local green businesses this holiday season by shopping with the participants of the “Keep the Sierra Green” Program. Need a unique gift; a fun specialty item? How about a gift card to a local coffee shop or restaurant? Need lift tickets, a demo package or more gear? Massage, manicure or pedicure more your speed? KSG businesses can provide you with whatever you need, and you will feel great knowing your purchases support businesses who are community leaders in waste reduction and sustainability.
Simply go to www.KeepTheSierraGreen.org to search the database of area businesses who are participating in this regional green business certification program.
Green Actions
Forget the paper or plastic bags and use cloth bags, every time. It seems more and more of us are remembering our cloth bags when shopping at the local grocery store. Now it’s time to keep those bags with you when shopping for other retail items. Reusable shopping bags also make great gifts.
Purchase gifts with minimal packaging. Although not always an easy task, do what you can do to purchase items that don’t come overly protected in huge amounts of plastic, paperboard, or styrofoam. Keep in mind that the plastic and paperboard packaging is recyclable, however Styrofoam and plastic wrap is not. Gift cards are a great alternative if you are not positive what someone on your shopping list really desires.
Purchase durable gifts that can be reused and/or made from recycled content material. For people on the go – a great gift is a stainless steel water bottle or reusable coffee mug placed in a reusable cloth bag.
Recycling, Recycling, Recycling
How about giving the gift of free recycling to a friend, neighbor or relative by purchasing them a case of blue bags? Blue bags are used in all the Lake Tahoe and Truckee recycling programs – a universal gift for the planet and community members!
The following items can be recycled curbside by utilizing blue bags:
• Paper – newspapers, magazines, catalogues, junk mail, paperboard (remove liners and plastic film), computer paper, paper towel rolls, toilet paper rolls, office paper, colored paper, non-foil wrapping paper.
• Aluminum, steel and tin cans. Clean aluminum foil.
• Glass bottles and jars – all colors.
• Plastics numbered 1-7 with the exception of Styrofoam and plastic bags. Plastics bags can be recycled at Safeway, and Raleys. Styrofoam is not accepted for recycling.
• Unnumbered Rigid Plastic – this includes hard plastic packaging and hard plastics (such as snow sleds) where the number is absent.
• Cardboard – break down and cut up the boxes to place in blue bags, or tie in a secure bundle. If you have a large amount of cardboard, break it down and take it to one of several area drop-off locations.
Don’t Forget:
• Please make sure you have clean materials. Rinsing off food residue is very important!
• Fill your blue-bags with all your mixed recyclables. TIE the blue bag securely.
• Curbside blue bag recycling is picked up free and in unlimited quantity.
• Call your area solid waste provider if you have any questions.
Free Christmas Tree Recycling
Several programs are operating including curbside and drop-off programs – please contact your local solid waste service provider for more information.
Free Recycling of Old Electronics & Christmas Lights
Electronics including batteries, televisions, computers, DVD players, stereos, iPods, cell phones and even old strands of Christmas lights may be dropped off for free recycling at area HHW and Electronics Collection Programs -please contact your local solid waste service provider for more information.
Remember Our Bears:
The bears remain active in the winter, especially if they can get food or garbage. Never place food related garbage outside–except on service day or in a bear resistant container. Keep the garage doors and dumpster locked except for immediate use. It only takes one incident to get a bear hooked on garbage and condemn it to an early death.
Collection Schedules:
In general, area trash and recycling collection services are not affected by the holidays.
Please contact your local solid waste service provider for more information.
Questions?
IVGID Waste Not: 775-832-1284 or email: Wastenot@ivgid.org
Truckee Recycling: 530.582.2909 or email: NDorr@townoftruckee.com