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Press Release

Release Date
March 5, 2007

Media Contact
Aeron Arlin Genet
805.781.5998

Technical Contact
Stacy Shull
805.781.5912

Seasons Greenings: Tips for a "Green" Holiday Season

With a 25% increase in waste generated during the holiday season, the San Luis Obispo County Air Pollution Control District (APCD) urges individuals to reduce holiday waste, save money and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

You can protect natural resources and save money by conserving energy, reusing and recycling holiday wrapping materials and purchasing recycled and recyclable gifts. Each holiday season, residential energy consumption increases while thousands of paper and plastic shopping bags end up in landfills. Both activities contribute to greenhouse gas emissions due to the increased energy used to process waste and illuminate those merry light bulbs. Here are a few tips to eliminate waste, cut energy bills and reduce greenhouse gas emissions:

· Reduce the number of bags you consume and throw away by bringing reusable cloth bags for holiday gift shopping

· Use energy efficient / LED lights and turn off or unplug holiday lights during the day. Doing so will not only save energy, but will also help your lights last longer.

· Plan your shopping in advance. Consolidating your shopping trips saves fuel and aggravation

· Buy rechargeable batteries to accompany your electronic gifts and consider giving a battery charger as well.

· Give gifts that don't require much packaging, such as event tickets.

· Send electronic greeting cards to reduce paper waste.

· Recycle your tree instead of sending it to a landfill or buy a potted tree and plant it after the holidays. Check with your community solid waste department and find out if they collect and mulch trees.

· Instead of wrapping gifts for the kids, hide the presents, plant clues to where they’re hidden and make the kids’ search into a treasure hunt.

· Reduce "Food Miles" and buy food products that come from within a 100 miles of your home

· When buying gifts, check product labels to determine an item's recyclability and whether it’s made from recycled materials. Buying recycled encourages manufacturers to make more recycled-content products available.

For more tips visit:

www.epa.gov/epaoswer/osw/specials/funfacts/winter.htm

www.use-less-stuff.com/ULSDAY/42ways.html

APCD staff wishes you all a fun and green holiday season!!

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