According to a report by Use Less Stuff, the United States produces 25 percent more garbage during the holidays compared to the rest of the year and all those wrappings, ribbons and trees add up to more than a million tons a week.
If households cut back their ribbon use by only two feet, they would save 50,000 miles of ribbon -- enough to wrap around the world twice.
Americans also throw away 25 percent of food purchased over the holidays and according to the University of Arizona. Having children place one less cookie on Santa's plate would save two million pounds of waste.
By the way, if you want to recycle your Christmas tree, many Bay Area cities have set up programs to do so. There is a link so you can find out what service your city provides.
