​The holiday season is in full swing and that often means presents. Many things on the wish list are electronic; phones, games, printers, music players and battery operated gadgets. Technology for these devices and appliances is constantly evolving and improving. So, how do you allow yourself and loved ones to enjoy new tech gear while reducing e-waste and battery waste or disposing of it responsibly?
 
A few tips to reduce, reuse and recycle will keep all your old electronics and batteries out of the landfill and onto better use.
 
Reuse
After reduce, reusing is always the best zero waste solution, pass along what still has life in it. Donate working cell phones to women who are victims of domestic violence through Verizon Wireless’ Hopeline program. They take working cell phones of all types. Bring your working electronics to a thrift or reuse store, you might even earn a few bucks. If your electronics still work, chances are someone else could use them.
 
Recycle
If you can’t reuse, recycle. Televisions, computers and computer accessories can be recycled at statewide e-waste collection locations. Electronics of any kind, including household appliances can be recycled at the Additional Recyclables Collection Center (ARCC) on 540 North Main St. Remember, televisions, computers and computer accessories are banned from the landfill in Vermont.
 
Finally, if your device is battery operated, buy rechargeable batteries that can be reused. Most batteries can be recycled easily throughout Vermont. Put tape over the positive contact on all batteries or bag batteries in clear plastic bags.
 
Look around our website to learn about other ways to recycle or reduce your waste this holiday season. If you find yourself replacing an electronic device, do not throw the old one in the trash; send it on for reuse or take it to a recycling drop-off location.

Imagine you walk out of the grocery store with four bags full of food.  One bag drops and you don’t bother to pick it up. This represents the fact that from Thanksgiving to New Year’s, Americans waste 5 million MORE pounds of waste than we usually do. (And usually we waste 40% of food from farm to plate according to the Natural Resources Defense Council) So here’s a challenge for us all to aim for:  Zero Waste Holiday Meals!
As you get caught up in the holiday cheer and festivities, thinking about how to incorporate less waste or even Zero Waste into your Holiday meals doesn’t have to be overwhelming…  Here are a few tips to think about as you plan:
Use whole foods- less packaged ingredients - Instead of cans and packaged ingredients, can you plan ahead and/or make it yourself? Packaged snack foods often fill up the trash can quickly. Think of snacks and treats you can make without packages: Cheese and bread! Roast bulk nuts in brown sugar or spices! Make your own hummus and cut fresh local veggies to dip! 

Use local ingredients - Even if you use whole foods, sometimes there’s the hidden waste of transporting products from afar- buying locally consumes less oil. 

Use Reuseable or Recyclable - We will all have some packaging even when we work hard at eliminating it;  think about if they can be recycled or reused before you make your purchase. .

Dish out smaller portions – The fact is…we all think we can eat A LOT more during holiday meals than any other meal.  Serving your holiday meal in courses helps people with better portioning.  Consider also using smaller plates.

Dishware and Napkins – Use reusable dinnerware and napkins.  If you don’t have enough here’s some options: Check out your local thrift store, post to Front Porch Forum asking for borrowed dinnerware, ask your guests to bring their own plate, bowl, silverware.  Also consider local churches and community groups often have spaces they rent out, fully equipped kitchens with everything you need for hosting your Holiday Party.

Have too many leftovers? Freeze it! - Even the best intentions of eating leftover meals for the next week can go sour after the 3rd leftover meal.  Leave only 3 meals worth of left-overs in the fridge, then freeze the rest in meal-size portions.  Use your leftover holiday meal to get creative.  Turn that holiday ham into Pea Soup! Turkey into pot-pie! Check out lovefoodhatewaste.com for hundreds of recipes for leftovers.

Take it home! Invite your guests to come with their own Tupperware or stock up early on yogurt or takeout containers.

Compost - Put your food scraps and plate-scrapings into the compost or look for a food scrap drop-off site near you. All transfer stations in Vermont now accept food scraps along with trash and recycling as well.

Donate - Still have extra cans of sweetened condensed milk or stuffing?  You can donate your canned or dried goods to a local food drive or food shelf.  Locate your nearby foodshelf.

Other thoughts:  Try bringing Zero Waste ideas into the rest of your party: reusable decorations? Yankee Swap for re-gifting presents? Reusable gifts bags?  Tell your guests about your Zero Waste ideas so they can help make it more possible with what they bring.

I hope these tips are helpful!  For more information on eliminating food waste, visit the EPA website.  May your holidays be filled with warmth and cheer!

by Jan Lloyd, Zero Waste Events Coordinator

Thinking about offering your repair skills at one of our Repair Cafes? Read on to learn more about what that entails: 

Liability: Each participant will be required to sign a liability waiver absolving you (as the “fixpert”) of liability for attempted and completed repairs. You will also need to sign a waiver to acknowledge your voluntary status at the event.

Tools: You decide which tools to bring and which materials you are willing to supply.  Personal tools and equipment will not be used by others without your permission.  If you don't have the tools or materials needed to perform some repair projects, or are uncomfortable using your personal inventory, please let us know immediately.  We will try to have the tools & supplies you need on– hand.

The Fix: There are limits to what we can attempt to fix during this event.  If you anticipate that a project will be very time consuming, it is appropriate to tell the person that it is beyond the scope of the event. You are not obligated to begin--or finish--a difficult or long repair.   If you take something apart, you are not obligated to put it back together.  Participants will have been warned that they may need to take disassembled items home.

Homework: If a project will take too long or needs special equipment, we’ll have a “homework” sheet for you to complete for the participant.  You may offer basic information about pre-work, a list of needed supplies, or instructions on how to finish a repair.  You can also note helpful resources (e.g. YouTube videos).  If the repair is far beyond the scope of the event, please try to refer participants to someone who can finish the job (in some cases this might be your business, but please provide people with alternatives), or to an end user who will take object as-is for reuse, recycling or disposal.

Safety is the #1 concern. Please employ all reasonable safety precautions.  At this event we are modeling good behavior to budding do-it-yourselfers and children, so even if you feel confident without typical safety precautions, please employ them anyway.  

Your Business: If you have a repair-related business, you are welcome to provide business cards at your table.  There will also be a display area to post/provide information about your business and other repair services you are aware of.   

Our first Café will be held at the Barre Universalist Church (aka First Church) on Saturday, January 20th (snow date is Saturday, January 27th) from 12-4 PM.  Sign up here to join us for our first repair cafe on January 20th at the First Church (Universalist Church) in Barre.