Most mass-produced wrapping paper you find in stores is not recyclable and ends up in landfills. Instead, wrap presents with old maps, the comics section of a newspaper, or children's artwork. Or use a scarf, attractive dish towel, bandana, or some other useful cloth item. If every family wrapped just three gifts this way, it would save enough paper to cover 45,000 football fields.
Stop by Environmental Health (2nd floor of City Hall) during December to pick up maps and a Chico bag to use as alternative wrapping while supplies last.
Now you can decorate your house with LED lights that use 80% less energy than conventional holiday lights, and can save your family up to $100 on your energy bills during the holiday season! LED lights are available at many major retailers, including Ace Hardware and the Miner’s Building.
Support local family farmers who grow sustainable meat and produce. Not only does it taste better, you'll be doing your part for the planet too. Looking for an organic turkey or ham for Christmas dinner? Find out where to get local products at SlowFoodRoaringFork.com
Demand is on the rise for Christmas trees that are not covered in chemicals; some growers use 40 different pesticides, as well as chemical colorants. Ask your local Christmas tree seller how their trees are grown or cut down your own tree with a permit from the Forest Service.
Each year, 10 million Christmas trees end up in the landfill. While your tree won't fit in the recycling bin with your newspapers and bottles, you can recycle your tree at the Rio Grande Recycle Center from December 20th through January 20th. After that, take it to the Pitkin County Landfill for composting.
Take a pledge this New Years' to reduce your home energy use by buying energy-efficient light bulbs. Installing only 6 compact fluorescent light bulbs will save the average American family $60 per year. You can also contact your utility company (Holy Cross or Aspen Electric) for help identifying the easy things you can do in your home to save energy. If there's a fire in your fireplace this Christmas, turn down that thermostat! Lowering the temperature even five degrees can take 10% off your energy bill.
Did you receive the latest MP3 player or smart phone as a holiday gift? Are you giving someone a replacement tablet? Remember that electronic devices (anything with a plug) contain heavy metals and need to be properly recycled.
Print out this form which entitles Pitkin County residents to receive a $100 credit towards dropping off material at the Pitkin County Resource Recovery (landfill).