post-holiday GIVE TOYS A NEW HOME Think about taking some of your children’s gently used toys and donating them to a charity after the holidays. It’s a great way to teach your children the importance of giving. For each gift they receive, let them select one toy to donate. Donated items are a tax write-off, so save the receipt.
tips GIFT CARDS Every now and then, you might get a gift card to a store or restaurant that is not your favorite. Below are ways to get it out of your wallet. Exchange, sell or donate to charity: cardcash.com cardkangaroo.com cardpool.com giftcardbin.com giftcardgranny.com raise.com retailmenot.com
RECYCLE YOUR HOLIDAY LIGHTS christmas-light-source.com HolidayLEDs.com McLendon Hardware stores (several locations) Point Defiance Zoo & Girl Scouts of Western Washington (several locations, pdza.org/event/zoolights/) More info:
http://your.kingcounty.gov/solidwaste/ecoconsumer/holiday-light-recycling.asp http://piercecountywa.org/1509/Recycling-Menu
CHRISTMAS TREE RECYCLING Most cities have curbside tree recycling or a Boy Scout troop in the area that will take trees for a small donation. Most yard waste collection providers require the tree to be cut in pieces before it’s placed into a yard waste bin. Contact your county for more information: King County - Curbside recycling available http://your.kingcounty.gov/solidwaste/garbage-recycling/tree-cycling.asp Snohomish County - Check with your yard waste collection service or on your city government website. Pierce County - Curbside recycling if you subscribed to yard waste collection. http://www.piercecountywa.org/index.aspx?nid=1551