More than 160 square miles of
wrapping paper will end up in
American garbage bins this holiday
season. That is enough wrapping
paper to easily cover one of the
major US cities like Atlanta. As the
holiday season approaches it is
important for us to be mindful of
the 3Rs of sustainability as we
think about gift wrappings:
Reduce: Reduce the use of gift wraps
wherever possible. Consider wrapping
gifts with comic strips, old maps,
unwanted posters, unwanted
calendars, pages from glossy
magazines - or even spare pieces of
fabric.
Reuse: We need to get over the
notion of appearing �too CHEAP�.
Instead we should use this
opportunity to be a �Green Hero or a
leader� by reusing gift wraps and
especially gift bags that are in
perfectly good condition. Do not
tear the wrapping paper, but
carefully unwrap it and re-use it
later. Consider using strings
instead of tape, so that paper can
be easily reused.
Recycle: If you had to use a gift
wrap and for some reason cannot save
it for future reuse, make sure it
can be recycled after its intended
use.*
* Check with your local authorities
if and where you can recycle
wrapping paper.
Contributed by: Sameer Kapileshwari
Director � Utility Services
Energy Conservation and
Sustainability Director
GREEN HINTS:
December 2009