Tips can make a green Christmas even greener

BARSTOW — Christmas is known as the time for giving, not wasting.

People donate to charities and gifts are bought for co-workers, friends and family. However, one thing people don’t often think about is the amount of waste that comes along with all that giving. Nationwide a million tons of extra waste are created each week between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day, according to the California Integrated Waste Management Board. A large portion of the extra waste comes from paper used to wrap gifts.

“The average family produces three to 10 bags more trash during December,” Mojave Desert and Mountain Recycling Authority administrator John Davis said. “I’ve seen it at the material recovery facility in Victorville. It’s just full of wrapping paper. The week after Christmas is our biggest week of the year.”

Davis said there are several ways people can help cut down on the amount of waste that is produced. He suggested wrapping gifts with paper bags, old magazines and newspapers or even using bags and boxes that can be reused each year. Belinda Barbour, the city’s solid waste coordinator, recommended that people use gifts to wrap gifts, such as a tool box for tools or a lunch box for school supplies. Barbour said recycling what you can would substantially reduce waste.

Recycling extends beyond paper and plastic. As people unwrap new electronics during the holidays, city officials are asking that old, discarded televisions and appliances be recycled as well. Many electronics contain hazardous chemicals that can seep into the ground if left to rot in a landfill.

“It seems like this year, it’s a trend of new TV’s, flat panels,” said Kelly Malloy, spokeswoman for Hesperia. “We want to keep electronics out of landfills.”

Batteries have also been illegal to put into the trash since 2005 due to the hazardous chemicals they contain such as lead, nickel-cadmium and acids. These chemicals breakdown in landfills and can contaminate ground water. Batteries, e-waste and other potential pollutants can be dropped off from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays at the hazardous waste collection bin at 900 South Avenue H in Barstow.

“A lot of toys and electronics require batteries,” Barbour said. “Even some shoes take batteries. People should try and use rechargeable batteries. Ninety-nine percent of the waste we generate can be recycled. Just take the time to think of planet earth.”

Natural Christmas trees should also be recycled. Burrtec will be collecting trees with all decorations, stands, lights and nails removed. Just place your tree out with your garbage and recycling on the normal collection day.

If you haven’t got around to buying a tree yet, Scott Paul, director of forestry campaigns for Greenpeace, recommends getting potted trees as a second choice to natural trees. Potted trees further reduce waste because they can planted in the ground after the holidays.

Natural trees benefit the environment while they grow by taking carbon dioxide out of the environment. When the season is over, they can also be mulched and used to create compost. Artificial trees on the other hand are most often made using petroleum based PVC plastic, which is not biodegradable.

Electricity may not be able to be recycled, but it can be conserved. Davis said people should replace incandescent Christmas lights with new LED lights and use a timer to ensure lights get turned off. LED lights use around 85 percent less energy than incandescent lights and are cool to the touch making them safer for children. Barstow replaced the lights on all of their outdoor Christmas decorations with LED’s in 2005.

“The city did it because we wanted to conserve energy and help the fight for the environment,” Barbour said. “It also saves money by saving electricity. It’s the smart thing for the tax payers. It’s our obligation to do not only the smart thing, but the right thing.”

Contact the writer:

(760) 256-4122 or david_heldreth@link.freedom.com

Tips for a green christmas

Reuse old magazines, newspapers, boxes and bags to wrap gifts

Try to buy gifts and food with limited packaging

Recycle paper, cardboard, and plastics

Take batteries and old electronics to hazardous waste disposal sites

Buy a potted Christmas tree if possible, or get a natural one as a second choice.

Use Christmas decorations with LED’s instead of incandescent lights

Put all of your Christmas lights on a timer to reduce energy use