There are ways to cut down on trash and still enjoy the holidays. Here are a few ideas and suggestions on how to have a wonderful gift-giving holiday season and still be earth friendly, provided by the city of Thousand Oaks:

No-Waste Gift-Giving Ideas

Not sure what to get someone? How about a gift certificate? That way, you know the gift will be kept.

Make gifts. Everyone appreciates a home-cooked meal or baked goods.

When you shop, bring your own reusable bags.

Consider the impact of your gift. Is it environmentally friendly and safe for children? Will it be reused?

Help someone recycle: give a can crusher, a reusable coffee cup, a reusable lunch bag or a cloth shopping bag.

Remember to always look for items made with recycled content.

For the “Do-It-Yourselfer,” the city’s monthly Household Hazardous Waste Program provides free used oil containers. To schedule an appointment, visit www.toaks.org or call (805) 449-SAVE.

For the composter on your holiday list, the city offers composters at a discount.  Visit the website or call the above number to purchase and have a composter delivered to your Thousand Oaks residence. No-Waste Gift-Wrapping Ideas

Wrap the gift in a drawstring bag and use an inexpensive luggage tag for the gift tag.

Decorate oversized gifts with just a bow that can be used again.

Games or toys for a child can go in a new backpack designed pillow case.

For a person who is handy, wrap their gift in a tool box.

For blouses and other gifts, place in decorative hat boxes and tie with a hair ribbon.

For the sewing enthusiast, wrap their gift in a fabric remnant and tie it with a piece of lace or ribbon. More Waste Reduction Ideas for Wrapping, Packaging

and Gift Cards

Creative wrapping paper substitutes include used blueprint paper, the Sunday comics, or even the sports section for a sports enthusiast. Design your own wrapping paper using paper shopping bags; decorate them with paints, crayons, or markers. 

Replace tissue paper with old lace or strips of paper shopping bags or used giftwrap.

If sending holiday cards, buy recycled-content cards and envelopes. Or make cards out of last year’s cards and saved wrapping paper.

Make gift tags from last year’s holiday cards.

Shipping a gift? Reuse the foam peanuts from another package, or use unbuttered popcorn for packing.

Even More

Waste Reduction Ideas

Wrap tools for a gardener in the pocket of an apron, planter or bucket. 

E-commerce is the wave of the future. But remember, e-commerce is not necessarily wastefree. Choose items that won’t be excessively packed for shipping. If shopping by mail order catalogue, remember to cancel the ones not needed.

Request to remove your name from future mailing list.  The city provides a “No Junk Mail” postcard that can be sent to unsolicited mailing companies requesting to have your name removed from their mailing list. 

For additional information on city of Thousand Oaks recycling programs, visit their website or call the above number.