Source: Ashley Osborne, UK extension specialist for 4-H youth development  

We often associate environmental topics with springtime, but you can be environmentally friendly anytime. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, United States household waste increases by approximately 25% between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day. This amounts to approximately 25 million tons of garbage.   

The holidays are a great time to reduce waste and get young people interested in the environment. Here are some ways you and your children can reduce your impact on the environment while still enjoying the season and showing loved ones that you care.  

Donate to a charity the person cares about rather than giving a traditional gift. Not only does this lessen waste, but the money will go toward a good cause.  

When giving gifts, encourage your children to offer their time. This could look like your child doing chores or errands, such as babysitting, instead of giving a tangible gift. Quality time such as movie nights or cooking together also makes a great gift, especially for seniors looking to socialize.   

Encourage your children to get creative and make gifts like scrapbooks or cookbooks with favorite family recipes to give to others as gifts.  

Bake items with your child to give away as gifts.  

Bring reusable shopping bags when you go shopping for gifts or holiday dinner supplies.  

Ask your child to package items and wrap gifts using reusable materials such as dish towels, beach towels, backpacks or reusable bags.  

Have your child collect pinecones, branches and other natural items from your backyard as these can become holiday decorations that are attractive and fun to make, and they can be composted once the holiday celebrations are over. 

For more information on greening up your holidays, contact the (YOUR COUNTY) Cooperative Extension Service.  

Educational programs of the Cooperative Extension Service serve all people regardless of economic or social status and will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnic origin, national origin, creed, religion, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expressions, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information, age, veteran status, or physical or mental disability.    

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4-H