Deck the halls with less waste this year.
	From Thanksgiving through New Year’s Day, we create an additional one million tons of waste each week. This page has tips to help you cut down your waste during the holiday season

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 Create Joy, Not Waste 
 Zero Waste Gift Ideas

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Create Joy, Not Waste this Holiday

We’ve made it through an unprecedented year, let’s celebrate! Add some of these waste-free ideas to your holiday plans, and take comfort in reducing waste, pollution and greenhouse gases.

Plan Portions to Reduce Food Waste. Try the Guest-imator  at www.savethefood.com so you know how much to make. For more tips on how to shop smart, store food properly, and eat what you've purchased visit our Food: Too Good To Waste webpage. 

Save leftovers to eat later.  Check out some recipes that will help you use up those leftovers from Food Network and Cooking Light. Freeze what you can’t eat right away.  Read more about store your leftovers and how long they will last.

 

 

 

Use reusable dinnerware, including plates, cutlery, flatware and cloth napkins. Catering in? Choose one who will supply reusable place setting and serving platters and utensils.

 

 

 

 

 

Compost inedible scraps like bones, pits, shells. 

 Recycle cans and bottles.  

 

 

 

 

 

Use compostable decorations like pine boughs, pinecones, plants or paper. Or, use decorations that you will reuse for many years to come. 

 

 

 

 

Give Zero Waste Gifts

Wrap Zero Waste Gifts in reusable items such as dish cloths or bags, or in recyclable paper (no metallic papers)  

 

 

 

Zero Waste Gift Ideas:

• Online classes and activities – Examples include Art, Cooking, Dance, Fitness, Music, Yoga. 
  • Art Center 
  • Enjoy! Classes and Activities  
• State, County or National Park passes
  • Santa Clara County 
  • California 
  • National 
• Gift certificate for outdoor dining at your favorite restaurant
• Online streaming theater tickets
  • Palo Alto Players 
  • The Stage  
• A subscription for refillable beauty and personal care products
• Shampoo and conditioner bars
• Handmade, unpackaged soaps from a local natural foods store

  

More Waste-free Gift Ideas from Palo Alto Community Members

Palo Alto community members have offered their ideas for giving great gifts without all the waste.

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