12 Ways of Holiday Greening

Christmas, Kwanza, Hanukkah, Diwali, Boxing Day, Eid! What if you could gift your loved ones a cleaner environment each holiday season? Based on U.S. EPA data through 20218*, every day the average American generates 4.9 pounds of trash.   Comparatively, Prince William County residents produced 5.49 pounds in 2024.

Between gift giving, holiday parties, lights and decorations this number intensifies over the holiday season across America.

 

Here are 12 easy ways to “green” the holidays and reduce waste:

1. Reduce Gift Wrapping

Wrapping paper that has glossy lamination is not recyclable and ends up taking up space in our landfill for years to come. Keep it simple, use a reusable gift bag, or recyclable paper. If you feel extra creative, you can reduce waste and still have your gift standout under the tree.  Use newspaper, comics, old maps, brown paper bags

or even fabric to wrap gifts instead of buying wrapping paper. Reuse packaging you have around the house, like shoe boxes or baskets, instead of new boxes for wrapping presents. Don’t forget to neatly fold and save what’s reusable from presents you receive.

2. Use Real Party Dishes and Utensils

Paper plates and plastic utensils have become a staple at holiday parties, but the trash load piles up quickly. Your guests will not only be impressed and feel special that you brought out nice dishware for their meal, but using real dishes will reduce waste and help extend the life of the county landfill. Also, use natural and organic decorations. Pinecones, wood and potted plants with ribbons make great decorations that can be composted or given away to guests.

3. Eco-Friendly Decorations:

Use natural and organic decorations. Pinecones, holly, wood and potted plants with ribbons make great decorations that can be reused, composted or given away to guests.

4. Ahead to Avoid Food Waste

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, 133 billion pounds of our overall food supply is wasted every year. Getting an accurate guest count for your parties, having a plan to store food, and sending guests home with leftovers can make sure that your delicious holiday meal is enjoyed rather than thrown away at the end of the night, or left to produce a science experiment in your refrigerator. 

5. Freeze Leftovers for Future Enjoyment

Many holiday dishes like potato casserole, lasagna, mac and cheese, meats, and gravy can be frozen and used for future meals. Organize your freezer ahead of time to create room for those frozen leftovers. Be sure to use reuseable containers and recyclable aluminum foil instead of plastic wrap that will end up in the garbage.

6. Send Digital Invites and Cards

Sending electronic holiday messages and invitations saves paper - and your message will also get out faster and you will save money on postage. Your friends and family will enjoy the music or animations you are able to add as well.

7. Shop Local and Bring Your Bags

Buy fresh, seasonal produce at local farmers’ markets. This reduces the carbon footprint of transporting food long distances. Support small businesses and artisans by purchasing locally made or sustainably produced items, reducing the environmental impact of mass production and shipping. Bring your own reusable shopping bags to carry your holiday purchases and recycle any unwanted single use shopping bags at local retailers. 

8. Embrace Re-gifting

Everyone has received at least one gift that they have no idea what to do with. If your office is hosting a gift exchange, suggest making the theme re-gifting. Re-gifting ensures unwanted items find a new home rather than thrown away, and it may avoid the plastic packaging associated with new items. You can offer your colleagues your unwanted, but “new to them,” treasure and nothing ends up in the trash. Remember, re-gifting doesn’t have to be limited to office colleagues, just make sure you don’t re-gift the potential treasure back to the original giver!

9. Spend Money on Experiences

Gifts are always fun on Christmas morning, but the excitement of a certain toy or present often fades over the months. Spending money on experiences is often more fulfilling than buying things. Consider buying fewer gifts this year; instead plan a fun outing to create lasting memories and digital photos.

10. Use LED Holiday Lights

Choose holiday lights with LED technology, as they consume up to 95% less energy and last longer compared to traditional bulbs.  Set timers on your holiday lights and save energy and money.  

11. Donate, Recycle or Properly Dispose of Old Items

Find the appropriate place to donate, recycle or dispose of old decorations, devices, clothing and items that you may upgrade over the holidays.  Check out the Prince William County A to Z Disposal Guide at www.pwcgov.va/disposalguide for information.

12. Recycle Your Greenery

When the holidays are over - be sure to recycle your trees, wreaths, and other holiday greenery. After removing all ornaments, decorations, tinsel, nails and the tree stand, you may recycle your tree at several convenient locations listed below.

• Curbside pickup by your waste and recycling collection company for the first two full weeks of January.
• Prince William County Landfill, 14811 Dumfries Road, Manassas, VA
• Prince William County Compost Facility, 13000 Hansen Farm Road, Manassas, VA

County Facility Hours through January 2, 2026

• • Monday- Friday, 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.,
    Sunday, Closed
  • Holiday hours:
    • December 24, 2 p.m. through December 25, Closed
    • New Year’s Day, Closed

County Facility New Hours Beginning January 3, 2026

• • Monday-Wednesday, Friday-Sunday, 7 a.m. – 4 p.m.;
    Extended hours, Thursday, 7 a.m. – 6 p.m.

• Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative (NOVEC) located at 5399 Wellington Branch Road in Gainesville.  Through January 12, 2026. The drop off area is in the parking lot outlined with safety cones to the right of the building. NOVEC will deliver the wood chip mulch to interested customer-owners at no charge, visit www.novec.com and search wood chip mulch for details.

According to the EPA, household waste generated in the United States increases by an estimated 25 percent between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day. That is about 1 million extra tons!  Implement one or all twelve of these “green holiday” tips to support a better environment and help preserve landfill space.

For more information on waste reduction, reuse and recycling in Prince William County, visit http://www.pwcva.gov/disposal.

 

*Reference https://www.epa.gov/facts-and-figures-about-materials-waste-and-recycling/national-overview-facts-and-figures-materials