GARFIELD HEIGHTS, Ohio — The holidays are here!
Pandemic or not, people generate more trash this time of year.
3News talked to the experts at the Cuyahoga County Solid Waste District about some simple steps you can take to be a little "greener" around the holidays.
When it comes to shopping, education specialist Carin Miller says remember to BYOB -- Bring Your Own Bag.
“I know shopping looks a little different this year, but we would just want to encourage you to bring your own bags when you go shopping to cut down on the waste of plastic bags and, you know, other bags that you might get from the store,” says Miller.
The Cuyahoga County Solid Waste District says paper, vinyl and cloth bags are all good alternatives and can be folded easily into purses and pockets. Miller also suggests taking your own bags to other retail stores as well.
Another way to help produce less waste this year is to think about what you use to wrap gifts. One easy thing you can do is put them in re-usable shopping bags. You can buy them pretty much anywhere -- and they’re usually cheaper than regular gift bags.
Or, Miller says, simply wrap your gift in another gift!
“Instead of using wrapping paper, you could use something like a cute dish towel or other kind of, you know, a scarf or something like that. It's a gift with a gift and then you're not wasting any wrapping paper.”
3News will have tips on holiday recycling throughout the next several days.
For more information on recycling, visit the Cuyahoga County Solid Waste District website.