LADPW Offers Tips to Conserve During the Holidays

Danielle Jackson

Los Angeles -- The Los Angeles Department of Public Works (LADPW) has released its Environmental Wrap-It-Up Wish List, offering ways to reduce, re-use and recycle holiday trimmings and wrappings, which contribute an extra 5 million tons of waste nationally per year between Thanksgiving and New Year's.

Each year, waste to L.A. County landfills increases an estimated 25 percent during the holidays, according to Melinda Barrett, head of environmental affairs for the LADPW. To conserve items and prevent more waste from heading to landfills, the wish list offers alternatives, including using shredded newspaper instead of conventional packing "peanuts," writing greetings on gift boxes instead of using tags, and recycling used and unused wrapping paper from previous holidays.

For more information on ways to reduce waste, visit www.888CleanLA.com.