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Post-holiday recycling ideas

The holidays abound with possibilities for recycling! Regardless of whether or not you consider yourself creative and resourceful, if you are open to just trying just a few of the following recycling ideas, you will be amazed at how much money you can save, and will be well on your way to reducing your carbon foot print.

Save all gift bags, boxes, gift wrap and bows -

Have a nice basket available to collect gift bags, paper and bows as they are discarded from unwrapped presents. Save and stack smaller boxes inside larger ones to help reduce storage space required. Stacking the boxes also helps them keep their shape while they are in storage. Neatly fold wrapping paper or roll the paper on to old empty rolls. Yes; save cardboard rolls too! Use gift bags over again; just add fresh tissue, gift tags and ribbon or bows. Keep using bows until they literally fall apart. Once old bows start to lose their shape, combine them with new and smaller bows in pleasing arrangements to decorate your packages. When your ribbon and bows are just too ragged to embellish your packages, cut them in to tiny pieces to make confetti or to add some glitz to handmade paper and other crafting projects. Store all your gift wrapping supplies in boxes, totes or large plastic bags to keep them dust free.

Don't forget to recycle all the disposables

During the holidays or any time when people gather, you will find more plastic plates, cups, and cutlery just appear. Try to purchase the types of plastic that you know are accepted by your local recycling plant. Whenever possible, wash and reuse all plastic dinnerware and aluminum food trays. Plastic tubs and aluminum pie plates make perfect containers when you want to send leftovers home with your guests. They are also great for storing craft and hardware supplies.

Don't overlook large boxes, and packing materials such as Styrofoam, bubble wrap and all those plastic bags that are found inside many boxes. Save and store these for future use as well. If you do not ship many gifts, take your large boxes and the packing to a local shipping store. Most shipping stores are glad to receive and recycle shipping materials. All those plastic bags found inside toy and electronics boxes can be reused, or just put them in the plastic bag recycling containers (widely available at many stores) the next time you go shopping.

Recycle broken ornaments and old bulbs -

Did you break a few ornaments this year? Carefully collect the pieces and save them for a mosaic candle holder, a garden stepping stone, or make another ornament from the pieces! Those old burnt out light bulbs can be transformed in to ornaments, or use one as a centerpiece along with one of your old bows to decorate a gift.

Cards can have many different lives -

Cards provide an amazing amount of choices and can provide fun family projects. One easy way to recycle cards is to simply cut the front off and glue it on to a plain piece of card stock. Note: one standard sheet of card stock paper can be cut in half; each of the two pieces is folded in half to form a standard sized greeting card. Write a note inside your cards, or you can also cut sentiments and greetings from the old cards and glue them on to the card stock. Fancy envelopes can be made from your recycled wrapping paper, by folding so that the papers design on the inside.

The old cards can also be cut down in to several smaller gift cards and placed on packages. Simply cut around designs you like, leaving room to write a name or two. Tape the gift card or punch a hole and tie to your package. If you are especially fond of certain images, cut them out and glue them to a complimentary color of paper. Laminate the images and trim away the excess plastic. Punch a small hole for hanging and run some of your old ribbon through the hole. Use these as ornaments or bookmarks, and embellish them accordingly. Hang them on your tree, decorate a package or enclose them in cards you send out next year.

Don't forget to throw all the card remnants that you do not use in the paper recycling bin. If you make recycled paper, shred these leftovers into tiny pieces to add to interest to your handmade papers or add to your confetti collection.

Don't forget the tree -

If you did not buy an artificial tree (that can be stored) or a live tree to be planted, you still have green options for your now somewhat lifeless tree. If you have the equipment, convert your tree into chips or mulch. Larger chopped pieces can also be used in a compost pile. If you do not have the equipment or interest, check with your city recycling program. Many offer curbside collection and will mulch your old tree, or in some cases it will even be used to rebuild marshland or fight coastal erosion.

Don't forget to donate all your old and unwanted items to the local thrift store or community outreach program. Even during the best economic times, your contributions will be appreciated and put to good use. On top of working to maintain a green planet, you also get a tax write off for your charitable contribution!

Be sure to check out the Helium Craft Channel to get more details and instructions on holiday craft projects and for more crafting and recycling ideas. You may even come up with some new recycling ideas of your own!

Learn more about this author, Cindy Hartzell.
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