Indianapolis, IN – As Hoosiers prepare for gatherings, gift exchanges and post-holiday cleanup, Indiana environmental officials are reminding residents to take simple steps to reduce seasonal waste and recycle responsibly.
According to the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM), households generate significantly more trash during December, much of it tied to gift wrap, packaging, disposable dishes and holiday décor. The agency’s new seasonal guide encourages residents to think creatively about reuse before tossing items into the trash.
IDEM recommends wrapping gifts with recycled paper, newspaper or colorful magazine pages instead of purchasing new wrapping supplies. Homeowners are also urged to reuse bows and leftover wrapping materials from previous years. For décor and wardrobe updates, the agency suggests swapping items with friends or repurposing what’s already on hand instead of buying new.
Another tip: mason jars. Officials say they can double as storage for cookies, candies, snacks and beverages, or as gift containers for homemade treats.
For holiday gatherings, IDEM encourages hosts to provide clearly marked bins for aluminum, plastic and glass beverage containers while avoiding disposable plates and utensils when possible. The department also stresses the importance of recycling broken Christmas lights and unwanted electronics rather than sending them to landfills.
Once holiday décor comes down, IDEM notes that real Christmas trees can serve multiple secondary uses. Many communities accept trees for chipping into mulch, erosion control or shoreline stabilization.
State officials say even small reuse efforts, when multiplied across communities, help reduce landfill waste and lower cleanup costs during one of Indiana’s busiest waste-collection periods.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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