'It is very easy to be environmentally conscience during the holiday season,' said Theresa Martin, Charleston County Environmental Management Department's marketing specialist. 'At a time of year when we create more waste due to holiday get-togethers and gift giving, we need to be mindful of our sensitive environment here in Charleston County.'

Green holiday

 Give your gifts in reusable bags instead of using wrapping paper.

Wrapping paper is not recyclable, while most bags can be reused (particularly for holiday shopping).

 Recycle all cardboard boxes at one of the more than 30 Charleston County Recycling cardboard drop sites.

 Compost your real Christmas tree with Charleston County by bringing it to the Bees Ferry Landfill (1344 Bees Ferry Road in West Ashley) between Jan. 2 - 9. Receive a free bag of compost in return for your tree.

Hours of operation are Monday - Friday from 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

 Many people give electronics, such as TVs and computers, as gifts over the holidays. If you are replacing old electronic equipment, remember to recycle your old electronics with Charleston County Recycling.

 Make a New Year's resolution to compost and recycle everything you can.

Presents

 Make edible items such as homemade jams, salad dressings or muffins.

 Break off a piece of a plant and re-pot it for a friend.

 Give your time by offering free babysitting, yard work or a car wash.

 Give tickets to a play, concert, show or sporting event.

 Make a donation to a charity in someone's name.

Wrapping gifts

 Buy recycled greeting cards or make your own cards.

 Use satin ribbon, which can be ironed and reused year after year.

 Recycle foam packing peanuts at local packaging stores.

 Be creative with gift wrap, such as using cloth napkins, dish towels, T-shirts and cookie tins.

 Save boxes, wrapping paper, tissue paper and bows for reuse.

 Save this year's greeting cards and reuse them next year as decorative gift tags or cut the front off and reuse them as postcards.

Parties

 Serve food on china, ceramic or stoneware plates with silverware instead of using plastic, paper or styrofoam products.

 After the party, recycle glass bottles and jars, plastic bottles #1 and #2, aluminum cans, steel cans and all paper products (except for wrapping paper and greeting cards, which are not recyclable).

Decorations

 Decorate with cranberries, popcorn, pinecones and homemade ornaments.

 Put all lights on timers to save energy.

Make decorations out of natural items such as found seashells, holly, fresh flowers, apples and nuts. Then compost what you can.

 Decorate your home with poinsettias, which may be cut back and saved for another blooming season.

For more information on how you can be green during this holiday season, contact the Charleston County Environmental Management Department at (843) 720-7111, ext. 29. Or you can  visit http://recycle.charlestoncounty.org.