Gift differently this holiday by shopping zero waste

 

Austin Resource Recovery Relaunches Reuse Directory to help Austinites find the perfect gift

Austin Resource Recovery (ARR), a department of the City of Austin, launches their 2021 ‘Give A Great Story’ holiday campaign, encouraging Austinites to rethink shopping and gifting this holiday season by shopping zero waste. To reach Austin’s Zero Waste Goal, the community should rethink how and what they consume, especially around the holiday season when Americans produce 5.8 million tons more waste in December than in other months of the year. In addition to protecting the planet, gifting differently shows thoughtfulness and brings people closer together. When Austinites ‘Give A Great Story,’ they help reduce the number of unwanted gifts that find their way to the landfill by offering unforgettable experiences, purchasing pre-loved gifts, or repairing treasured items. This year ARR is promoting the relaunch of the Austin Reuse Directory to help Austinites find goods and services that embrace zero waste gift giving. The directory can help residents find locations to buy thrift, vintage, or upcycled items, repair a beloved item, or gift rental services. Users can also find places to donate or sell gently used items in the spirit of giving back this holiday season. Currently, the directory is best viewed in a web browser on a desktop or laptop computer. Giving zero waste gifts in place of newly purchased or produced items also benefits the local economy, keeps valuable items out of the landfill, and avoids spending the energy and resources required to manufacture new products. Zero waste gift ideas include: Supporting local Austin’s businesses and organizations (concerts, theatre performances, restaurant gift cards), Crafty? Purchasing a second-hand sweater and turning it into a scarf, pillow cover, or a no-sew dog sweater, Polishing a loved one’s favorite leather wallet or handbag. Austinites can also reduce holiday waste by: Reusing materials like newspaper, posters, maps, or fabric to wrap gifts, Sending e-cards instead of mailing paper holiday cards, Using and washing reusable tableware for holiday meals instead of single-use disposable options. For more zero waste gift ideas follow us on Facebook @AustinRecycles.  About Austin Resource Recovery Austin Resource Recovery provides a wide range of services designed to transform waste into resources while keeping our community clean. Services include curbside collection of recycling, trash, yard trimmings and large brush and bulk items; street sweeping; dead animal collection; household hazardous waste disposal and recycling; and outreach and education. Austin Resource Recovery offers free, voluntary and confidential consulting services to help Austin businesses reduce waste and comply with the City’s recycling ordinances. In December 2011, the Austin City Council approved the Austin Resource Recovery Master Plan, which is the City’s road map to Zero Waste. The City of Austin is committed to reducing the amount of waste sent to area landfills by 90 percent by 2040. Learn more at austinrecycles.com.