With thanks to the Lower East Side Recycling Center, Grow NYC and NYC.gov, we bring you a slew of tips for Greening Your Holidays…

Sending cards?

Try e-cards or look for greetings made with recycled content (we’ve got them at Green in BKLYN).  Include a note with your cards saying they can be donated for reuse by sending them to St. Jude’s Ranch for Children, where they’ll be re-purposed into greetings for 2012.

Purchasing gifts?

Show some style when shopping by bringing your own reusable bags (or pick up some with our Green in BKLYN logo on them at the shop) .  Choose minimally-packaged items made with recycled content and give items that will be treasured, not thrown out before the next holiday season.  Remember to “wrap it recyclable” by using old newspaper, recycled paper gift wrap (at the shop!) or a nice paper gift bag.  A convenient reusable bag is the gift wrap that keeps on giving.

Preparing a holiday meal?

Look for items in recyclable packaging and buy minimally- or non-packaged fresh produce, like that from the local farmer’s market.  Compost your vegetable trimmings or bring them to select Greenmarkets or other drop-off sites.  Prevent waste by making small changes such as using recyclable aluminum foil rather than plastic wrap for food storage or use Snack Taxis & glass storage containers (also at Green in BKLYN).  Serve your masterpiece on reusable plates and offer guests reusable flatware, glassware & napkins.

Stuck with clean up duties?

Remember to include gift boxes, wrapping paper and other paper packaging with your regular paper and cardboard recycling (remove tape, ribbons and other decorations).  Your eggnog cartons can be recycled too—place them in your recycling bin along with glass, metal and plastic items.  Reuse Styrofoam packing peanuts and compost the ones made from cornstarch.

Done with your  holiday tree?

If you’re putting up a real tree for the holidays, plan to chip in at MulchFest on January 7 & 8!  Trees (cleaned of stands, tinsel and ornaments) will be collected and recycled into mulch for NYC parks.  Bring your own bag to select sites and take home mulch for your yard, garden or street tree.  Find citywide drop-off sites and mulch pick-up locations here.  If you miss MulchFest, the city will pick up trees (also stripped of ornaments, etc) curbside from January 3-14.

Have unwanted electronics?

If you’re upgrading or unloading electronics, don’t send them to the landfill.  Find recycling resources here and check out the “After the Holidays” e-waste collection schedule from the Lower East Side Ecology Center.  There are events in all five boroughs through January 2012.

Changing clothes?

Clear out ill-fitting, outdated and otherwise unwanted clothing and other textiles (even the stuff you spilled cranberry sauce on at the holiday party) and bring them to one of GrowNYC’s weekly collections for reusable and recyclable textiles.

Swapping on your mind?

GrowNYC’s Stop ‘N’ Swap is the ultimate re-gifting party.  Bring reusable items to share (portable items only) or simply bring a tote bag or two to take home things you can put to reuse.  Winter swap dates and locations will be posted at GrowNYC.org/swap.

Feeling generous?

Others may want the stuff you no longer need. There are many local charitable organizations interested in receiving your gently used clothing, furniture, books and electronic goods.