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Health & Fitness

Green up your holiday!

Do you ever think about how much waste you create during the holiday season? According to the Medical University of South Carolina, waste disposal increases 25 percent in the United States, causing an extra 5 billion pounds of waste in the landfills.

Here are some tips to help you reduce your waste and be more environmentally friendly this holiday season:

1. Don’t Buy Wrapping Paper- reuse old wrapping paper, gift bags and boxes, or even use newsprint!

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2. Send E-Holiday Cards- many sites will allow you to send free or low cost e-cards, saving trees and eliminating the carbon footprint. 

3. Rethink your holiday party-Instead of serving dishes and drinks in one-use products, such as paper plates and utensils, consider using REAL plates, silverware and napkins that you can wash. Recycle all aluminum and glass bottles.

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4. Give the Gift of Time- Consider giving the gift of your time and talents-offer to make dinner, walk the dog, help with home repairs or babysit.

5. Recycle or Reuse Packaging From Gifts-reduce environmental impacts and recycle all cardboard packaging and peanuts or other Styrofoam packing that come with gifts or purchases. These items can used over and over again for packaging and shipping– these items will not break down in a landfill.

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