We at Teton Valley Community Recycling encourage you to make some new habits while gift-giving this holiday season! Did you know that Americans generate over 25% more trash during the holidays, and nearly double their waste after Christmas? We have some suggestions for reducing your impact on Teton Valley’s waste stream this year.

Wisely Consider Your Gifts
*Think about giving meaningful experiences instead of “things”—this could be a gift card to a local restaurant or spa, a donation to a non-profit that your recipient may favor, a gift certificate for an activity, or even just quality time to do something special with you!

*Make your own gifts! Food such as canned goods, cookies, even flavored salts are all well received. Homemade projects can be easy or more elaborate. There are ideas found online from bookmarks to candles, bird feeders to planter boxes, and these can be a fun family project.

*Shop locally and support your favorite artist, craftsperson, or store—all while cutting down on emissions from personal package delivery or traveling to shop. The bonus is that your money recirculates in Teton Valley, boosting our local economy

* Second-hand gifts are becoming a new trend. Many people appreciate used items specifically because they don’t waste resources and don’t produce additional packaging waste. The perfect used book or piece of clothing might become a treasure.

Chips Bag Wrapping

Reduce Waste When Wrapping
*Wrapping paper can’t be recycled here—consider using a fun alternative, such as old maps or posters, leftover fabric, or even reusable gift bags. And don’t forget to save that old wrapping paper to use again. There are substitutes for non-recyclable ribbon such as yarn, cut pieces from food packaging, and more.

After the Holidays
*Please save items such as wrapping paper, boxes, and cards for reuse next year or donate it to our Community Gift Wrap Station at the Geo Center this holiday season. Packing peanuts and bubble wrap may find homes at a shipping store such as Peak Printing or with a local artist. You can recycle bubble wrap with other plastic bags, after popping the bubbles, at Broulims, in Jackson, or curbside.

*Recycle your batteries, cardboard boxes, and Christmas trees locally. Did you know the transfer station will take your trees (real trees without tinsel, ornaments, etc) and chip them for use for composting on site? Batteries can be recycled at several locations in the valley including the Transfer Station and curbside. If new electronics were a part of your holiday, make sure you recycle your old electronics (aka “e-waste) at the Transfer Station or with RAD.

Thanks for reducing your impact on Teton Valley and the planet! Have a quality holiday!