City Manager Ken Striplin offers up a sleigh full of advice on how to keep the festivities eco-friendly. In a recent publication, Striplin emphasizes the importance of recycling right during a season notorious for waste. According to a blog post by the city official, the holiday period saw a spike in waste production by about 25 percent.
To combat this, the city manager suggests getting crafty with gift wrapping, using items like tote bags and scarves, which add a personal touch while reducing waste. If you use wrapping paper, he advises choosing those without foil or glitter "as those options can be recycled." Moreover, Striplin points out that holiday cheer can spread through the gift of sustainability. Donating objects such as "reusable travel coffee mugs, water bottles or portable bamboo utensils" makes for thoughtful gifts that keep giving to the planet.
In the realm of holiday feasts, Striplin urges the conscientious planning of menus. By doing so, excess food can be avoided, boosting spirits with leftovers shared in reusable containers. When it's time to clean up, he reminds us that "gift boxes, most wrapping paper, greeting cards, and all cardboard packaging are recyclable." Alongside regular pick-up, extra recycling will be hauled away by Burrtec the week after Christmas if residents place it next to their bins.
Fresh holiday trees and wreaths don't have to meet their end post-Christmas either. Striplin guides, between December 26, 2023, and January 13, 2024, trees and wreaths should be placed in the green organics container or beside it. With all decorations stripped away, "if your tree is six feet or taller, consider cutting it in half." He adds an unfortunate note that flocked trees won't be recyclable but offer drop-off locations for added convenience. Echoing Striplin's sentiment, let's embrace an environmentally conscious holiday because every little act of recycling can snowball into a big difference for our planet.
For more information on how to make jolly choices that benefit the earth this season, Santa Clarita denizens can hop over to GreenSantaClarita.com. With these tips in hand, Ken Striplin wishes everyone "a joyous and eco-friendly holiday season."
