Unwrapping the Holidays
by Judith Doherty and the Solid Waste Advisory Team
 Does someone at your home grab a plastic bag and fill it with wrapping paper as soon as the gifts are opened? Most of those paper products are recyclable, or better yet reusable.
According to the MA Department of Environmental Protection “In the U.S. an additional 5 tons of waste is generated between Thanksgiving and New Years!” Trim trash this season. Start by putting cards, envelopes, even flattened boxes out for curbside recycling. Save special decorations for next year, or for kids’ art projects on icy winter days. Regifting has become a joke on some radio stations but it makes sense to pass on unneeded items to Salvation Army, Goodwill or a shelter.
I just learned that the price back on recycled paper is at an all time high, which means our town can make money by recycling paper instead of losing it in the trash. So think twice.
 Tip of the Month:Skip the paper and opt for gift bags. They are beautiful and can be reused for years or other gift giving occasions. Gift bags also make the season simpler in that they are easy to use (MA Department of Environmental Protection).
Dollars & Sense:
“This holiday season Massachusetts residents will buy an estimated: 70 million greeting cards, 1 million cut evergreen trees, and $10 worth of packaging materials for every $100 spent on gifts” (MA Department of Environmental Protection).
REDUCE, RECYCLE, REUSE
In West Boylston, John Westerling, the head of our public works department, reports that the recycling rate for October 2007 was 23%. That’s up 3% - 5% over the past two years where the numbers have hovered between 18-20%. A LITTLE EFFORT…A BIG DIFFERENCE
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