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As the holidys wrap up, the DNR would like to share some simple tips to be "green" into the new year:
- Buy local. Locally made gifts have a lower carbon footprint due to reduced gasoline use and air pollution associated with transportation.
- Recycle your gift wrap and greeting cards. Recycling is simple to do but can be easily neglected during the holiday excitement. Have a designated bin for recyclables right next to your trash can so recycling is just as easy as throwing away garbage.
- Reuse your packaging. Save boxes, ribbons and gift bags that can be used again for another holiday.
- Take your own reusable shopping bags. When shopping during the holiday season, avoid the hassle of accumulating single-use bags by bringing your own reusable bags.
- Re-gift new items that you don't plan on using.
- Donate gently-used goods to a charity. Your items will be put to use and appreciated much more than they will in a landfill.
- Consider using environmentally-friendly holiday alternatives:
- Look for Light Emitting Diode (LED) holiday lights. They use approximately 80% less energy than normal incandescent holiday lighting and can last up to 50 times longer. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, if every home in the U.S. switched to LED holiday lights, we could save $160 million in energy costs in one holiday season alone.
- Send e-cards to your loved ones instead of greeting cards.
Did you get an upgrade this holiday season?
If you received a gift that will replace an older item, make sure you dispose of your used item properly, especially if it is electronic. Disposed of in a landfill, electronics can leach toxic metals into our environment, potentially impacting our groundwater.
For more information on disposal and recycling your electronic goods, visit http://www.iowadnr.com/waste/recycling/ewaste.html.
The Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation collects used cell phones and rechargeable batteries, with drop-off locations at many national retail locations. Visit www.rbrc.org for more information.
Dispose of your Christmas tree responsibly after the holidays:
Many communities offer pick-up after Christmas with your weekly trash. Most require a purchased sticker to be affixed to your tree prior to collection. Instead of going into the landfill, many solid waste agencies turn the trees into valuable compost to be used in the spring.
If your community doesn't offer collection, there should be a drop-off location in your area. Contact your local solid waste agency to locate your nearest drop-off site.
This season, don't forget the most significant gift of all- environmental sustainability for Iowa.
DNR Contact:
Al Goldberg
(515) 281-8912
Allan.Goldberg@dnr.iowa.gov
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