Households in Clark County toss out up to 25 percent more waste between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day
VANCOUVER – Clark County Solid Waste and Environmental Outreach encourages the community to celebrate the holidays by taking thoughtful steps to reduce waste, reuse and recycle.
Households in Clark County toss out up to 25 percent more waste between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day. What’s an extra trash bag filled with holiday food waste, gift wrap and packaging? Each week up to 250 shipping containers full of garbage are barged up the Columbia River to the landfill. The additional holiday waste means even more trash-filled shipping containers are sent to the landfill. But by taking a few simple steps to reduce, reuse and recycle, the holiday season can be a little greener.
Whether your celebrations with family and friends are large or small, these tips can help you to reduce waste:
- Prepare for holiday meals by taking stock of what’s already in your pantry and using what you have on hand. To avoid over-buying food, use the “Guest-imator” online tool to help determine how much food you need based on the size of your dinner party. Make to-go plates for guests and freeze leftovers in portions for easy meals.
- Cut down on disposables when hosting gatherings. Paper plates, cups, napkins and plastic cutlery end up in the landfill.
- Simplify gift giving to children with the popular “want, need, wear, read” strategy. Focus on four gifts: something they’ve been eyeing, something they need for learning, clubs or sports, clothing that expresses their style, and books, comics or magazines that speak to their interests.
- Purchase local experiences like horseback riding lessons, a brewery tour or musical performances, or recycled goods from farmers market vendors. Offer gifts of time such as babysitting, handywork around the home or yard, or dog walking. Another thoughtful option is making a charitable donation in the recipient’s name to a local nonprofit, community organization or cause.
- Think durable when selecting gifts. It may cost more upfront, but the longer an item lasts, the less often it will need to be replaced.
- Visit a local thrift store, or vintage or consignment shop to find unique clothing or home furniture and decor.
- Give gifts in reusable bags that can be used for shopping or next year’s gift giving.
- Consider giving gifts that don’t require batteries. If they do, provide reusable batteries.
- Recycle old electronic gadgets and string lights that no longer work. Drop-off locations can be found at RecyclingDoneRight.com. Donate unwanted electronics and string lights that still work.
For more holiday waste-reduction tips, visit the Clark County Green Neighbors website.
Information provided by Clark Co. WA Communications.
Also read:
- Harvest Days in Battle Ground coming up July 19-21The Battle Ground Festivals Association is preparing for three days of celebration, including a car cruise on Friday night, a parade on Saturday, and fireworks on Saturday night at Harvest Days.
- Organizers looking for cars for Cruise to the Shoug show on Aug. 454-40 Brewing Co. is hosting Cruise to the Shoug on Aug. 4 as a fundraiser for the Camas-Washougal Community Chest, and organizers are looking for car owners to book their spots for the show.
- Trump picks Ohio’s J.D. Vance for vice presidentFormer President Donald Trump picked U.S. Sen. J.D. Vance, R-Ohio, to serve as his vice president should Trump beat President Joe Biden this November for another term in the White House.
- Children with disabilities make memories at the 24th annual Merwin Day of FishingOn Saturday (July 13), Pacific Power and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife joined together to host a memorable fishing event for children with disabilities at the Merwin Fish Hatchery near Woodland.
- Letter: For the public record and the Comprehensive PlanIn a July 12 letter to the Clark County Council, Clark County Citizens United President Susan Rasmussen shares that primary stakeholders were ignored in the Wetland and Habitat Ordinance Conservation Covenant.
- CASE DISMISSED: Classified documents case against Trump thrown out by judgeA federal judge in Florida dismissed the classified documents-related criminal case against former President Donald Trump on Monday, saying the appointment of Special Counsel Jack Smith violated the Constitution.
- Photos: Log show and parade at Territorial Days 2024 in AmboyTerritorial Days in Amboy never disappoints, and this weekend brought all kinds of activities in logging country, and Clark County Today had a photographer there to capture images from the annual parade and log show.