Waste Free Holidays helps you give gifts that create memories, not landfill trash

Each year between Thanksgiving and Christmas, Americans generate 25 percent more waste than usual, which translates to a mind-boggling one million tons of garbage each week, according to the King County Division of Solid Waste.

Sure, the creative, crafty and frugal among us know that cardboard boxes, ribbons and carefully opened wrapping paper can be reused or recycled, but packing materials made from plastic and Styrofoam last forever.

This year, consider giving an experience rather than a product to the people on your list. Experiences require no wrapping paper, don't come shrink-wrapped and are the perfect choice for the person who has everything.

With the Waste Free Holidays promotion, now in its 13th year, Solid Waste and Seattle Public Utilities make it easier for local residents to reduce their contribution to our growing landfills by sponsoring great deals on experiences such as theater and dining.

Waste Free Holidays runs through Dec. 31, and features discounts of 15 to 50 percent from more than 140 local businesses, including ACT Theatre, The Pink Door restaurant, The Museum of Flight and Dimitriou's Jazz Alley.

There are way too many excellent gift ideas for me to list here, but some highlights include: $20 off the four-week Learn to Row class at Lake Union Crew; 20 percent off tickets to Baby Loves Disco; and 20 percent off cinematography workshops for girls ages 13 to 19 at Reel Grrls.

In addition to giving experiences, Tom Watson, manager of Solid Waste's public education program, EcoConsumer, offers the following tips for a waste-free holiday:

• Make gifts instead of buying them.
• Use energy-efficient LED Christmas bulbs to cut down on energy bills.
• Choose eco-friendly and/or homemade decorations and wrapping paper.

For a complete list of discounts and Waste Free Holidays gift ideas and tips, visit www.wastefreeholidays.com.

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