Lane County residents are encouraged to once again take part in Waste Wise Lane County’s annual “Simplify the Holidays” campaign, running now through New Year’s Day.
Waste Wise Lane County, a part of the Lane County Waste Management Division, has led the campaign since 2022 to help residents and businesses reimagine their holiday traditions, reduce unnecessary waste, and find more meaningful, low-impact ways to celebrate.
“Waste is too often a centerpiece of the holiday season,” said Waste Wise Lane County Waste Reduction Outreach Coordinator Daniel Hiestand. “This campaign is a reminder that it doesn’t have to be that way. With small shifts in habits, we can reduce waste and increase joy.”
According to the Center for Biological Diversity, Americans generate 36 more pounds of waste in December than in other months—roughly the equivalent of throwing away seven computer monitors per person.
A highlight of the campaign is the Holiday Leftover Recipe Contest, returning for its third year. Residents can submit recipes at wastewiselane.org/holiday. Those who share recipes will be automatically entered into a drawing for some great prizes, with contest winners announced in early January.
This year’s prizes include: Lovely All Day Cafe and BRING gift certificates, free enrollment in Oregon State University Extension Master Food Preserver workshops, and a collection of sustainable products from Main Street Market.
Follow the campaign on Waste Wise Lane County’s social media pages @WasteWiseLaneCounty on Facebook and Instagram.
About Waste Wise Lane County
Waste Wise Lane County— a part of the Lane County Waste Management Division—empowers residents, schools, and businesses with education, tools, and resources that can be used to reduce waste, conserve resources, and live more sustainably. For more information, visit lanecountyor.gov/wastewise.
About Simplify the Holidays
Simplify the Holidays is an award-winning program of the Center for Biological Diversity. Simplify the Holidays seeks to empower individuals and families to be more conscious of the impacts of holiday traditions and, in doing so, reconnect with meaningful and lasting celebrations. Learn more at simplifytheholidays.org.