The Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality urges you to think green this holiday season: reduce, reuse and recycle.

While you're wrapping gifts, think about using something other than wrapping paper, like a scarf, bandana, dishtowel or cloth shopping bag. Most wrapping paper isn't recyclable. Newspaper is, though, so you might think about using the funny pages as your paper.

Last year's Christmas and holiday cards can be used in crafts and as ornaments.

Once all the new gifts come in, it's time to get rid of the old. Any toys or clothing you or the kids have outgrown can be donated to charitable organizations. Providence House, The Salvation Army and Shreveport-Bossier Rescue Mission are always looking for clothing donations, especially during the cold winter months. You can also find metal bins on several street corners where you can drop off your items.

Discarded electronics, like computers, copiers, fax machines and printers, can be donated to a local non-profit.

DEQ says when decorating your home, there are ways to consider the environment. An artificial tree doesn't have to be discarded and a live tree can be replanted. If you buy a cut tree, remember that it can't be flocked or have tinsel or decorations on it if you plan to recycle it.

Here in Shreveport-Bossier, trees are no longer picked up from your curb to send to the Gulf coast to help with restoration efforts. The past few years, Eco Mulch & Sod on St. Vincent Avenue has been collecting trees to grind into mulch, which you can then purchase to spread around your yard or garden.

For lights, those of the LED variety last longer, and save energy and money.

You can recycle packaging materials, like cardboard and foam peanuts from your packages. If you get a present in a gift bag, do like I do and save it to use for next year's gifts.

The kids will likely be getting some toys that require batteries. DEQ recommends you buy rechargeable batteries for those, as well as cameras and other electronic gadgets. When those batteries no longer hold a charge, call the Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation at 800-8-BATTERY, or go to www.rbrc.org for information on the nearest battery-recycling drop-off location.

Another tip for you....remember to never burn wrapping paper or Christmas trees in the fireplace. Have a safe holiday season!

For more recycling ideas, head to www.deq.louisiana.gov/recycling.

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