This holiday season, consider the impact your celebration has on the environment.  There are a number of ways you can modify your choices this season to reduce the amount of waste you create.  From the GIFTS you buy and the type of GIFT WRAP you use, to the HOLIDAY CARDS you send, we hope you'll find these tips helpful this month, and all year long.  Also, stay tuned for locations to recycle or dispose of your Christmas tree after your celebration is over.

Conservatree has put together information about purchasing holiday cards that are printed on recycled paper.  They recommend the ones below on their website.  For more tips about purchasing paper items (including calendars and office products) with recycled-content, click here.

· Hallmark's Shoebox Greetings, My Thoughts Exactly, and Comedy Club lines

· Leanin' Tree's Western and Native American art

· Peaceable Kingdom's illustrations from favorite children's books

· Pomegranate's photos and illustrations

· Recycled Paper Greetings

The California Department of Conservation has created a Green Gift Guide ^TM to help consumers purchase products made from recycled materials, including bottles and cans. The site features more than 60 individual and national recycled product retailers including industry leaders such as LL Bean, Birkenstock and PETsMart, as well as a variety of small businesses such as Point Beach Outdoors and Fire and Light.

From fleece products made from recycled plastic bottles to decorative dishware made from recycled glass bottles, these companies offer items for everyone on your holiday list. The Green Gift Guide also includes a variety of eco-friendly tips for holiday entertaining and decorating. Consumers will also find creative gift-wrapping ideas and tips on how to "be green" all year round.

Some of CVWMA's favorite green gifts (and suppliers):

• Goblets made from recycled wine bottles - www.greenglass.com
• Basket made from recycled milk jugs - www.basketsleeves.com
• Serving tray made from recycled aluminum - www.tenthousandvillages.com
• Tire swing made from recycled tires- www.abundantearth.com

Most wrapping paper cannot be recycled in our area due to the metallic dyes used in making it (it's not compatible with the other papers we collect.) Instead save it to reuse next year.  Another idea is to recycle papers like the Sunday comics pages or to create your own using brown craft paper and stamps - a good activity for the kids!  A third option is to use reuseable items like gift bags or packaging that is also part of the gift – for example, a set of kitchen items wrapped in kitchen towels!   Click here for more ideas.

CVWMA Reminders about Holiday Recycling

• No collections on December 25th and January 1st.  Collections scheduled for Tuesday through Friday in the weeks of Christmas and New Year's Day will be delayed one day each.
• Wrapping paper cannot be recycled due to the metallic dyes used in making it. (Instead save it and reuse it next year.)
• Cardboard boxes need to be flattened and should be no larger than 2 x 3 feet. (You can cut boxes down to the appropriate size using box cutters.)
• Don't cover your recyclables set out at the curb for collection, even if it is raining or snowing.