A Green Christmas!
When a White Christmas is never a guarantee, a Green Christmas may be the way to brighten up your spirit!
With waste at its highest during the Holiday Season, Great River Regional Waste Authority encourages you to find environmentally friendly alternatives to your gift wrapping and holiday decorating.
Using old sweaters, or any cloth materials, to wrap your gifts is not only a creative, but it helps you reduce your spending and reuse materials. Cut the arms of an old sweater, sew the bottom, and enclose your gift inside. Finish it off with some ribbon or twine, add a pine cone or two and a sprig from your own back yard.
If you have multiple gifts to wrap this Christmas, opt for recyclable brown paper, or newspaper, to wrap your gifts. Regular store bought wrapping is not recyclable and makes up for much of the waste heading to the landfill this time of year. You can purchase brown paper rolls from most craft stores, check your own recycling pile for old newspapers, or stop by your local newspaper and ask for end rolls. Decorate your gift by writing a personal message of your own and finish with a colorful ribbon or bow.
Bags can be one of the simplest ways to gift, reducing the time you spend on wrapping. Opting for paper bags can spark your creative side and awe your friends and family. Paper bags come in multiple sizes for small to large gifts. Personalizing the front of the bags with a copy of the gift recipient’s favorite sheet music, letter, picture, quote or poem is sure to make them appreciate your crafty nature.
Wishing you and your family a very Merry and Green Christmas! From all of us here at Great River Regional Waste Authority.