While the holidays are about generosity, they also contribute to a national issue. From leftovers from Yuletide feasts to mountains of wrapping paper, landfills receive a substantial amount of waste during the festive season. Avoid contributing to the problem by being mindful of how you manage your family’s garbage. Reduce your trash while contributing to your community with these eco-friendly ideas.
Donate holiday surplus in Ann Arbor
The average American generates approximately 4.9 pounds of trash every day, and this number increases during the holidays. Most of this is due to the surplus common throughout the season. If you find yourself with more than what you need, why not embrace the spirit of the holidays and donate to the community?
Give gently used items, such as clothing, shoes, jewelry, books, decor and housewares, to Ann Arbor PTO Thrift Shop, which supports Ann Arbor public schools. If you want to help the community in general, drop your surplus at the Kiwanis Club of Ann Arbor.
Beyond gifts and household goods, the holidays are also a time of major food waste. On Thanksgiving alone, around 320 million pounds of food are discarded, equivalent to 267 million meals that could have been given to those in need. If you have a surplus of unopened, nonperishable holiday items, consider donating them to Food Gatherers and other local food banks.
Give toys a second life and support community play
Many parents experience a “toy overload” after the holidays, leading to clutter. Donations can help solve this problem while teaching children valuable lessons, like the value of sharing and the joy of giving.
Beyond clearing clutter, donating toys also means contributing to your community, as it helps ensure all children have opportunities to play. This spirit of sharing is what builds and sustains vital spaces, such as local playgrounds. Playgrounds are a hub of community activity, a place where families can connect and a source of pride for the entire neighborhood.
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Host a neighborhood swap
Organize a post-holiday toy or gift swap with your neighbors. It’s a great way to declutter, trade toys your kids no longer like for “new” ones at no cost and strengthen community bonds. Consider these steps when planning the event:
- Get the word out with a text chain or social media group.
- Set a date when almost everyone is available, such as a weekend afternoon.
- Establish simple rules, such as only bringing items that are clean and in good condition.
- Make it fun by making a pot of hot chocolate or encouraging participants to bring holiday leftovers.
Reuse holiday wrapping paper
Americans use 4.6 million pounds of wrapping paper every year, and about half of that ends up in landfills because it can’t be recycled. Here are a few ways to keep your holiday paper waste out of the trash and give it a second life:
- Save it for kid-friendly art projects, such as collages and DIY bookmarks.
- Shred nonrecyclable paper to use as packing material for shipping future gifts.
- Store gift bags, ribbons and bows for next year.
Recycle throughout the holidays
It’s not your imagination—Americans do produce 23% more tons of trash in December compared to the rest of the year. That increase makes it more important than ever to recycle throughout the holidays. Here are some recycling tips for Ann Arbor families:
- Determine whether wrapping paper is recyclable. If you ball it up and it unfolds, it may contain nonpaper materials, such as plastic or foil. That means it cannot be recycled. If it stays scrunched, you can recycle it.
- Discard string lights at designated e-waste drop-off locations instead of simply throwing them away. These “tanglers” can break recycling machinery.
- Stay up to date with Ann Arbor’s curbside collection program for post-holiday Christmas trees. Remove all decorations, lights and stands from your tree before placing it at the curb.
Keep the spirit of giving going
Donating, reusing and recycling during the holidays are simple ways to make a difference in your community. When done collectively across Ann Arbor, these small actions can add up to a significant positive impact on the environment. Practice year-round mindfulness to keep the spirit of giving alive after the festive season.
