The holidays are a time for giving. This season, Catawba County encourages you to give back to the environment by following these green tips!

• Give “waste free” gifts this year such as a service provided by a local business (cleaning service, dance lessons, catered meal, etc.) or give gift certificates to movies, museums or restaurants.

• Make your own unique gift wrap by reusing items from around the house. Think newspapers, colorful packaging or old sewing and craft materials.

• Decorate using holly, cedar, berries, fruits and nuts - all of which can be composted.

• Instead of throwing away leftover food - make a compost pile. A compost pile is a mixture of organic substances used for fertilizing soil. You can continue composting every day - not just during the holidays and composting is a fun and easy way to help your garden. To learn more about composting click here - http://www.p2pays.org/compost/.

• Remember to recycle all your cans, bottles and paper. According to the “Use Less Stuff Report,” Americans throw away 25 percent more trash between Thanksgiving and New Year's than any other time of the year. Help cut down the amount of trash thrown out by recycling what you can!

Check out these other great environmental tips for every holiday: General Holiday Tips for the Environment