2018-2021 Archive
Out with the Old, in with the New
Dec 23, 2020 at 2:25pm
Must-see tips to make space for your 2020 gifts
One of our favorite holiday traditions is a game of “out with the old, in with the new,” with a stormwater-savvy spin, of course. ‘Tis the season to make space for new holiday gifts and giving back when you can. To do this, use our recycle, reduce, reuse method, which also helps prevent waste from polluting our community.
Before you get started, find a few storage bins or trash bags. Dedicate one for donating or regifting, one for recycling, and one for trash. Sometimes it is hard to part with our things, so in those moments ask yourself how often you’ve used the items in the last six months to 12 months. Once you have things sorted, here are three steps to help you reduce, reuse, and recycle.
The Art of Regifting
Sometimes we end up with gifts that go unused. Maybe it wasn’t the right size, a duplicate gift, or something you received in white elephant gift exchange. Whatever the case, it’s time to give away the unused items this holiday season. Instead of stashing and forgetting, consider regifting. Your unused item might make for the perfect gift for someone else. Regifting is the stormwater-savvy thing to do because it eco-friendly and low waste, which helps prevent unnecessary trash.
Organize the Ornaments
As we repack decorations from around the house, trash broken ornaments that can’t be fixed. Although a few of these broken bulbs might have sentimental value, if they can’t be hung or have lived in your storage space the past few years, then it’s time to go. On the other hand, maybe you’ve exhausted the current ornament theme and you’re looking for new ornaments for next year. In that case, consider donating ornaments in decent condition to your local thrift store like Goodwill or Salvation Army. Less trash at home and in the landfill!
Shop Small
Make space for new clothes and toys by cleaning out the closet. Consider giving items a second life by donating to a local center or starting your own small shop. Selling apps like Mercari, Facebook Marketplace, and Poshmark are a great way to resell your things. Plus, online small shops are perfect for contactless purchasing, because you simply package your items and mail them to the buyer. This is the new, trendy way of reducing, reusing and recycling – stormwater-savvy style!
