Simplify the Holidays!

We all know that this holiday season will be like no other - not only because of COVID, but also because of the growing awareness that we must change our throw away culture in order to avert a climate crisis. Longmont has a long way to go in reducing what we send to the landfill - only 26% of our curbside residential waste is recycled or composted! With that in mind, the SRL Zero Waste Committee has put together some suggestions on how to Reduce and Reuse this year, so we can do our part to diminish our carbon footprint and keep our planet livable.

• Use cloth, calendars, maps, comics or bandanas as wrapping paper - get creative!
  
• Repurpose paper to make homemade holiday cards, or send an ecard
  
• Package gifts in reusable tins, or use boxes with decorative patterns instead of paper 
  
• Give the gift of bulk: Homemade chai mix (order by 12/16), or package food in reusable jars: soup mixes, dessert mixes, apple butter or fruit preserves (make your own or check out Simply Bulk for great gift ideas)
  
• Cook, make art, or craft together on Zoom! Our carbon footprint is less when we telegather
  
• With smaller gatherings, rethink your traditional recipes and number of servings so food doesn’t go to waste - and compost any food scraps
  
• Consider Zero Waste gifts - something that will help friends and family go green all year long - reusable lunch containers, straws, or become an SRL member and get reusable produce bags!
  
• Buy online gift cards to local shops and restaurants;  give the gift of classes or lessons, memberships, or share your skills; create DIY or second hand gifts
  
• Take some of the money you save by not traveling for the holidays, and donate it to an environmental organization or your loved one’s favorite charity
  
• And here are some holiday recycling opportunities from the City:
  
  • Christmas Tree drop off: Dec 26 - Jan 6 at various locations
    
  • Recycle your strands of lights and wrapping paper at the Waste Diversion Center from Dec 26 - Jan 6. Bring your utility bill for free drop-off. Note: ribbons, bows, tape, or tissue paper can’t be recycled - so don’t use them!
    
  • Styrofoam #6 can be recycled at the Waste Diversion Center year round (no packing peanuts)
    

For the complete guide on what can be recycled and what can’t, check out the EcoCycle Holiday Guide. And for more great ideas, watch SRL’s webinars on Zero Waste in the Time of COVID and Food Preservation: Tips and Tricks for a Zero Waste Kitchen.
Make it a fun competition to see how little wrapping paper, single use cardboard and plastic, and unnecessary stuff you can give and receive this year -
and give the gift of a livable planet to future generations!