The holiday season means an increase in trash; the more you shop, the more you throw away.  Here are some tips to help keep the holiday season green:

Christmas

• Consider gifts that keep on giving such as a battery charger, a perpetual calendar or an erasable message board. Gift certificates for movies, theaters or restaurants are also "waste-free" gifts. 
• Create a family legacy by buying durable toys made from wood or metal.  Metal and wooden gifts can be passed from generation to generation, becoming family heirlooms. 
• Give two gifts in one by using baskets, fabric bags, scarves or pillowcases to wrap gifts. Sunday comics make colorful gift wrap for children's packages. 
• Save gift boxes, bows and gift wrap to use next year. 
• Keep the fronts of old Christmas cards to frame them and use to decorate your house during the holiday season.
• Purchase larger rolls of film. They are cheaper and reduce waste. 
• Decorate your home with holly, cedar, berries, fruits and nuts, all of which can be composted after use. Use popcorn and cranberries to decorate the tree. 
• Use Christmas stockings to wrap small gifts in, they can be reused year after year. 
• Any kitchen gift can be wrapped in a colorful towel. Kitchen utensils can pop out of an oven mit. 
• Have children make their own wrapping paper by designing and coloring on paper grocery bags. 
• Use old homework pages to wrap gifts, Grandparents love to see them.                     

New Years

• Start the new year off with a bang by making waste reduction your number one New Year's resolution. 
• Score big when watching the Super Bowl by eliminating disposable plates and cups from your "tail-gate" party. Use cloth napkins in team colors to add fun to your meal as you cheer for your favorite team.  
• Commit to purchasing longer lasting products such as florescent light bulbs and rechargeable batteries. You will save money and have less trash to get rid of.
• Start a magazine club with your co-workers or neighbors. You can cut your subscriptions in half by swapping issues with other people. You'll save money, enjoy more magazines and cut back on trash at the same time.