14 DAY TRIAL // Holidays are usually great occasions to waste more than we actually consume. To make sure that landfills will stay clean during this time of the year, NRDC offers a great guide for a minimal amount of holiday waste.
NRDC officials indicate that almost everything can be reused or recycled and leftovers do not make an exception.
Portion planning counts as a good way of preserving resources; however, if we skipped this step, food banks are a great tool helping us redirect the excess and lend a hand to the needy.
The same path should be followed by old electronics. If Santa has brought new shiny gadgets, the old, unwanted ones, can be donated to schools or non-profit associations that will definitely appreciate the contribution. Otherwise, they can be commercialized on eBay or craigslist.
A new partnership established between Goodwill and Dell helps customers redirect their goods for a noble cause. Same goes for Apple that rewards participants eager to recycle their iPhones, iPads and PCs with an Apple Gift Card.
Most of the companies manifest their Christmas Spirit and encourage people to minimize the amount of e-waste generated during the holidays while supporting a charitable mission.
Goodwill plans to give a new purpose even to old clothing items and shoes that no longer find their place in our wardrobes. Fashion accessories and apparel that is no longer used can be donated to The Salvation Army or resold in local vintage shops.
Recycling strategies are scarce when it comes to toys, because they often contain toxic elements. Even though it counts as a less popular method, toy rental is a great opportunity to waste less and stay green, according to NRDC.
The Christmas tree can also be reused, even after its life has ended. It can become a reliable source for biofuel production, or it can be chipped and transformed into mulch.
Potted trees are definitely a greener option, since they can be replanted in backyards or donated to a church.
There are plenty of recycling options for broken light strings. If some of the bulbs don't work properly, the string can be redirected to Holiday LEDs, where it will be recycled properly. Your eco-friendly gesture will be rewarded with a coupon offering a 25% discount for a similar item.