Picture this: It is January 1, 2018. The 2017 Holiday Season is officially over and done. Gift bags, wrapping paper, and bows and ribbons are spread throughout the house. Electronics boxes and toy packages is spread haphazardly in the family room. Holiday decorations are still on display in windows and doorways. Holiday meal leftovers are shoved in the refrigerator. If this scene sounds familiar, try to Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle this holiday season to better prepare for the 2018 holidays and practice GreenLiving techniques.
Recycle: The end of the holiday season can be a great time to practice some easy recycling techniques. Separate all of the gift wrapping and packaging components to determine what can be recycled. Remember, Styrofoam packaging material and shiny or glittery wrapping paper cannot be recycled. Cardboard boxes should be broken down and recycled.
Reuse: After the holidays, determine what leftover seasonal decor and gift packaging items can be reused. This will save time, money, and, importantly, resources. Holiday lights, stockings, candles, and other items can be properly stored and used again. If seasonal decor is old or tattered, remember to dispose of properly: many decorations cannot be recycled and can only be thrown away in the garbage.
Reduce (next year!): Cleaning and organizing after the holidays is also a great time to assess any potential areas of waste. For example, food waste is very common during holiday celebrations. Notice if there are excess leftovers / uneaten food, so less food can be bought and prepared for celebrations next year. Remember to package and store food leftovers properly to avoid food spoilage and waste.
Grady's GreenLiving Tips was created in 2014 by Grady Management, Inc. Grady Management was founded in 1965 and continues to provide a full service residential, commercial, and consulting real estate firm in the greater Washington and Baltimore metropolitan area. Learn more from our website or Facebook page.
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