December 22, 2006

The Department of Environmental Quality is encouraging residents to reduce their waste this holiday season by following some simple suggestions that will also save money.

As holiday gift giving can generate a great deal of waste, families can consider using recyclable materials to wrap presents, or, if using traditional wrapping paper, avoiding foil or paper with a shiny back as many communities will accept nonmetallic wrapping paper for recycling. Families can also purchase rechargeable batteries to include with new toys and electronics, and separate packaging materials that can be recycled such as cardboard, paper, and certain plastics.

After the holidays are over, alternatives are available for recycling rather than throwing away a Christmas tree as well. Christmas trees can be chipped into mulch, composted, used to prevent soil erosion, or used to create wildlife habitat. Many Michigan communities offer Christmas tree recycling. Individuals should check with their community to see if pickup or drop-off programs are available.

Michigan law does not prohibit Christmas trees from being disposed of in landfills or incinerated, however, Michigan residents are encouraged to seek out alternatives before the landfill disposal option is considered. This promotes the wise use of environmental resources and extends the life of landfills in our state.

For additional information, go to the DEQ Web site at http://www.michigan.gov/deq, or to find a local recycling contact, go to http://www.michigan.gov/deqreswastecontacts.

Editor's note: DEQ news releases are available on the department's Internet home page at www.michigan.gov/deq.

"Protecting Michigan's Environment, Ensuring Michigan's Future"