The magic of Christmas when the holidays are over often ends up in the trash.
Wrapping paper, packaging, ribbons, burnt out lights, tinsel and farolito sacks – the glitter and shine that makes the holidays sparkle – are of little use in January. They are thrown away, thrown away, thrown away, like so much in our throwaway society.
It doesn’t have to be like that.
Christmas can keep its magic and beauty without creating tons of junk. It just takes a little planning on the part of the partying people.
Reducing litter starts with the whole idea of what Christmas is about. For Christians, it is about the birth of a baby boy in a manger who will grow up to be the savior of the world.
For both believers and unbelievers, however, Christmas can be a holiday that celebrates family and togetherness, with an emphasis on giving and decorating.
It’s less about the return of light to our dark world and more about fulfilling every wish and fantasy.
Don’t get us wrong. Who doesn’t love a gift, especially one given with thought and love? But gifts don’t have to be extra expensive, layered, and sent from distant warehouses.
They don’t have to come from catalogs either. If too many catalogs are clogging the mailbox, try this trick. There is a number on the back of many that you can call to cancel the catalog. You’ll likely be on hold for a while, but it’s a perfect activity while cleaning up emails or washing dishes (put the phone on the speaker).
With supply chain issues still going on – what you want may not be available – this Christmas is the perfect time to shop locally. Shopping from a store owned by a neighbor or a local artist reduces waste, which makes all partiers grateful.
When wrapping gifts there is the option of using plain brown paper instead of fancy (and non-recyclable paper) – decorate it as a family activity – or one of our favorites, the Sunday comics.
The goal is always to reduce what has to be thrown. Trash on Christmas Day becomes lighter with paper that can be recycled or used to light a cozy fire.
We already know that cut Christmas trees will be recycled after Christmas. The city of Santa Fe designates central collection points and turns them into mulch – that definitely extends their usefulness beyond beauty. This is comforting for people who want trees that are still alive without so much waste.
However, that’s not all that can be recycled. As it turned out, city and county residents can also recycle burned out Christmas lights.
Don’t throw them in the trash. Drop off old lights at the e-waste station at Buckman Road Recycling and Transfer Center, 2600 Buckman Road. According to the Santa Fe Solid Waste Management Agency website, the county’s transfer stations also accept lights.
Reducing Christmas trash starts with planning – purchasing locally, cutting down on packaging, and trying to recycle or reuse everything instead of sending it all to the landfill. Do that and enjoy Christmas Day – one with fewer trips to take out the trash.
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